How much do dancing with the stars pros make per episode is around $1,200-$5,200, while celebrities make $295,000 max per season. The stunning pay gap and what pros really earn in 2026.
The Ballroom’s Best-Kept Secret
While celebrities glide across the polished floor under thousands of watts of stage lighting, a financial reality plays out behind the sequins and spray tans. Professional dancer Jenna Johnson recently pulled back the velvet curtain on what’s become reality television’s most whispered-about topic. What she shared goes well beyond the sparkle of the Mirrorball Trophy.
How much do pros on dancing with the stars make?
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Professional dancers on DWTS earn between $1,200 to $5,200 per episode based on experience and how long they’ve been with the show. Rookies typically start at $1,200 per episode, while seasoned dancers who’ve built devoted fan bases can command up to $5,200 per episode. Most pros max out around $100,000 per season.
DWTS Pro Dancer Salary Structure Explained
Starting Rates for New Professional Dancers
First-time professionals joining Dancing with the Stars begin at the lower end of the pay spectrum. Reports from Parade and StyleCaster indicate newcomers earn roughly $1,200 to $1,600 per episode. A rookie who gets the boot in week one walks away with far less than someone dancing until the final night. This per-episode payment system puts enormous pressure on every performance.
Veteran Dancers Command Higher Episode Rates
Experienced professionals who’ve developed loyal fan bases and demonstrated their choreographic abilities can negotiate substantially better rates. Multiple entertainment outlets including Us Weekly and TV Insider report veteran dancers pull in closer to $5,000 to $5,200 per episode. This premium rate only lasts as long as they’re still competing with their celebrity partner, though.
The Guaranteed Weeks and Starting Bonus
Professional dancers get guaranteed payment for a set number of weeks even if eliminated early, though contract specifics vary. Pros also receive a $10,000 upfront bonus covering promotional costs like photoshoots and wardrobe. Jenna Johnson mentioned on The Morning After podcast that dancers have payment protection through a certain point in the season.
Does Winning DWTS Come With Extra Cash?
The Mirrorball Trophy Is the Prize
Contrary to popular belief, there’s no million-dollar jackpot for winning Dancing with the Stars. After Jenna Johnson won Season 33 with Joey Graziadei, she addressed the payment structure during a podcast conversation. Professionals who make it to the finale get what Johnson called a nice bonus, but the real prize remains that iconic Mirrorball Trophy.
Total Season Earnings for DWTS Professional Dancers
A professional dancer who survives all the way to the finale in a complete season might earn between $100,000 and $300,000 total, based on various industry accounts. This math includes their per-episode rate, any bonuses, and guaranteed minimum weeks. That figure represents the best-case scenario, though. Early eliminations cut most pros’ earnings considerably short of that ceiling.
Celebrity Contestants Earn Substantially More Money
Starting dancing with the stars pros’ salary for Celebrity Participants
Variety and several entertainment publications report celebrity contestants get a flat $125,000 just for signing the contract. This covers their demanding rehearsal schedule, which can mean up to 20 hours weekly for several weeks, plus their opening two weeks of live shows. Every celebrity collects this base amount whether they’re an A-lister or a forgotten reality star.
Performance-Based Weekly Bonuses Add Up Fast
Celebrities who dodge elimination collect escalating bonuses as weeks pass. Weeks three and four bring $10,000 extra each week. Week five adds $15,000. Weeks six and seven provide $20,000 weekly. Weeks eight and nine jump to $30,000 per week. Those surviving to the semifinals and finale pocket an additional $50,000. The absolute maximum payout stops at roughly $295,000 per season.
The Judges and Hosts Earn Million-Dollar Salaries
Host Compensation in the Seven-Figure Range
Tom Bergeron, who hosted DWTS for years, reportedly earned $150,000 per episode during his run, translating to between $1.5 and $1.8 million per season according to Us Weekly. Current hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough likely command similar figures. With 10 to 12 episodes each season, hosting ranks among the franchise’s most lucrative positions.
Judge Salaries Range From Six to Seven Figures
When DWTS first aired, judges reportedly made $250,000 per season according to The Sun. Salaries have climbed substantially since then. Current judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli reportedly earn between $250,000 and $1.2 million per season. Derek Hough’s journey from winning six Mirrorball Trophies as a pro to becoming a permanent judge shows the career progression possible within the franchise.
Professional Dancers Supplement Income Through Tours and Branding
The Live Tour Provides Additional Revenue
Many professional dancers boost their television paychecks through the Dancing with the Stars live tour. Court documents from Gleb Savchenko’s divorce revealed he reportedly earned around $406,614 annually from his combined DWTS work and related appearances. The live tour hits dozens of cities and lets pros keep performing and earning between television seasons.
Brand Partnerships and Business Ventures Multiply Earnings
Cheryl Burke exemplifies how to transform DWTS fame into lasting wealth. After 26 seasons, Burke built a net worth estimated between $4 and $6 million according to Celebrity Net Worth and other entertainment sources. She launched an activewear line, published a memoir, created a podcast, and secured endorsements with brands like Sargento Cheese and Impress Nails. Her diversified revenue streams show how the show’s exposure can create financial success that outlasts the ballroom floor.
The Reality of Professional Dancer Income
Professional dancers on Dancing with the Stars navigate an unusual financial landscape. Former contestant Amy Purdy told The LA Times the schedule demands seven intense days weekly, with rehearsals starting early morning and running until midnight on performance days. Lindsay Arnold revealed that getting bumped from pro partner to troupe dancer slashed her paycheck by more than half, making the income barely livable in Los Angeles.
The earnings gap between celebrities and professional dancers stays dramatic. A celebrity can leave with nearly $300,000 for one season of work, while a pro dancer eliminated early might collect as little as $12,000 to $24,000 after weeks of intensive preparation and performance. This explains why partner assignments carry such weight. Drawing a skilled, committed celebrity versus someone who can’t keep rhythm can literally separate a $20,000 season from a $200,000 season for professional dancers. Every elimination carries both emotional and economic consequences for the pros who’ve committed their lives to the ballroom.
Sources Referenced
- Parade – How Much Do Celebs & Pros Make on DWTS
- StyleCaster – How Much Do DWTS Pros Make Per Episode
- TV Insider – Are DWTS Pro Dancers Paid
- BollywoodShaadis – DWTS 2025 Cast Fees Revealed
- Good Housekeeping – Do Celebrities Get Paid on DWTS
- Cosmopolitan – Breaking Down DWTS Salaries
- Celebrity Net Worth – Cheryl Burke Net Worth
- FandomWire – DWTS Judges Salary
- Reality Tea – Gleb Savchenko Net Worth
- MEAWW – Gleb Savchenko Earnings
FAQs about how much do the pro dancers make on dwts
Do the pros on Dancing with the Stars get paid if they lose?
Yes, professional dancers get paid for every episode they’re in whether they win or not. They receive guaranteed payment for a set number of weeks even with early elimination. Their total season earnings depend on how far they advance, though. A pro eliminated in week one earns far less than one who reaches the finale.
Who is the highest-paid pro on Dancing with the Stars?
While exact salaries aren’t publicly disclosed, veteran professionals with multiple seasons and strong fan followings earn the top rates. Pros like Cheryl Burke, who completed 26 seasons, reportedly earned six figures yearly. Current veterans earning the maximum per-episode rate of $5,000 to $5,200 would be the highest-paid active pros.
How much do the judges on DWTS make per season?
DWTS judges reportedly earn between $250,000 and $1.2 million per season based on multiple entertainment sources. Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli all command impressive salaries. Early judges started at $250,000 per season, but long-term contracts and seniority have pushed these amounts higher for current judges.
Do Dancing with the Stars contestants get paid more if they win?
Celebrity contestants don’t receive a separate cash prize for winning the Mirrorball Trophy. They do receive escalating weekly bonuses the longer they survive in the competition. The maximum a celebrity can earn caps at roughly $295,000 for the season. Those reaching the finale receive a $50,000 bonus for that final week.
What is the starting salary for a celebrity on DWTS?
Every celebrity contestant receives a flat starting fee of $125,000 according to Variety. This covers their rehearsal period, which involves roughly 20 hours weekly of practice for several weeks before the season starts, plus their first two weeks of live competition. This base salary stays the same regardless of the celebrity’s fame level.
Is there a prize for winning Dancing with the Stars?
The only prize for winning Dancing with the Stars is the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy itself, which costs around $10,000 to manufacture. There’s no additional cash prize. Professional dancer Jenna Johnson confirmed that winners receive a bonus for making the finale, but not a million-dollar prize like many viewers think.
Do DWTS pros get a bonus for making the finale?
Yes, professional dancers who reach the finale receive what Jenna Johnson described as a nice bonus on top of their regular per-episode pay. While the exact amount hasn’t been publicly disclosed, it provides additional compensation beyond their standard episode rate. All finalists receive this bonus whether they ultimately win the Mirrorball Trophy or not.
