Super Bowl Cheerleader Pay Explained (It's Less Than You Think!)

It’s Super Bowl Sunday (February 8), and it’s time for the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks to go head-to-head at the 2026 Super Bowl…but don’t forget the cheerleaders putting in work on the sidelines!

Cheerleaders play a big role on game day at a football game! They bring energy and excitement to the crowd, creating a fun and enthusiastic atmosphere for everyone.

In addition to their performance duties, cheerleaders can also serve as ambassadors for their teams, and by promoting the team and building enthusiasm for the sport, cheerleaders help to build a strong, loyal following for their teams.

However, it’s been revealed that the cheerleaders in the NFL, and those performing at the Super Bowl tonight, aren’t paid very much.

Keep reading to find out just how much the cheerleaders make per game…

Introduced in 1954, official cheerleading squads are a part of about 25 of the NFL teams.

After a TikTok from Jessica Burbank went viral about the pay disparity recently, many have been talking about why cheerleaders aren’t compensated more.

In the NFL, cheerleaders who are classified as “supporting” members reportedly receive around $150 per game and between $50 and $70 for public appearances on behalf of their teams, adding up to an estimated annual total of $22,500.

Those who have been in the league for a longer time are considered professional and thus earn higher salaries, with reports indicating that they receive approximately $500 per game and $15-$20 per hour.

A professional cheerleader, who may perform at the Super Bowl, can make as much as $75,000 per year, and there are bonuses available for teams that make it to the playoffs or win the Super Bowl. It should be noted that cheerleaders are responsible for paying for their auditions, travel expenses, and hair, makeup, and costumes.

A cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys, Kat Puryear, said recently she makes as much as “a substitute teacher…I’m making like a Chick-fil-A worker that works full time.” She said Cowboys cheerleaders are paid an hourly rate for game days, which are about 11 hours, but only home games, and a flat-rate game day fee. The same applies for voluntary public appearances. Practices run 3-4 hours, and are hourly pay as well.

“It’s like a full-time commitment, part-time pay,” she explained.

As of Feb 8, 2026, the average annual pay for a Professional Cheerleader in the United States is $67,990 a year, per ZipRecruiter.

The Seahawks Dancers roster includes:

Alexa, Ashley, Ashli, Auggie, Bailey, Bridget, Chamine, Christian, Dominique, Esmé, Faith, Gianna, Jaedin, Jann, Katrina, Kendal, Kiana, Lauren, Lillian, Lindsey, Macy, Mattye, Meghan, Miki, Miranda, Sam, and Stephanie.

The Patriots Cheerleaders roster includes:

Ally B., Annie C., Aryn H., Ashley S., Chiara K., Emily M., Emily Y., Gabrielle S., Haley S., Isabel H., Jane A., Jeremy G., Jordan A., Julia S., Kaitlyn S., Kendra L., Keyanna D., Lana V., Maddie K., Mallary Q., Megan M., Mikenna M., Sarah T., Shauna B., Tam N., Taylor S., Taylor Y., Theresa M., Victoria I., and Vonai M..

Find out who is performing at the 2026 Super Bowl!