‘Dancing With the Stars’ Salaries: How Much Do Contestants and Pros Make?

Since Dancing With the Stars debuted in 2005, it has been a huge hit for ABC and has undergone plenty of changes — including the salary amounts that the cast earns. When the show launched, Tom Bergeron and Lisa Canning cohosted the first season. Samantha Harris replaced Canning for seasons 2 through 9 with Brooke Burke-Charvet cohosting for seasons 10 through 17. Erin Andrews stepped in for season 18 and remained by Bergeron's side until season 28. In 2020, ABC announced that the cohosts would not be returning for season 29. Instead, Tyra Banks stepped in. Despite mixed reviews from fans of the show, Banks returned for season 30 and season 31. “I mean, you know, Tom Bergeron and Erin. They lead the show, this is one of the top-rated shows in the world,” the supermodel told Us Weekly exclusively when taking over in September 2020. “So [I’m] respecting the stage that they have set and then adding my icing to that. I feel confident about that, but of course, it’s a challenge, but I don’t back away from challenges.” After Alfonso Ribeiro joined as cohost in 2023, Banks exited the following year and Julianne Hough stepped in. So, how much do the stars and pros make for their time on the reality competition series? Scroll down for everything we know:

According to Variety, celebs get paid $125,000 for the rehearsal period and first two weeks that they’re on the show.

After the initial two weeks, stars are paid increasing salaries for every additional two weeks they last. In 2010, the scale was $10,000 per episode for weeks three and four, $20,000 per episode for weeks five and six, $30,000 per episode for weeks seven and eight, and $50,000 per episode for the final two weeks.

While the above breakdown could result in $345,000, Variety reported in 2020 that the most a contestant can make is reportedly $295,000.

After pro dancer Jenna Johnson took home the season 33 title with partner Joey Graziadei, she weighed in on whether there is increased pay for winning. “I think there’s different contracts, so I can’t speak for everybody. But, if you make it all the way to the end, you’re getting paid the whole season, which is amazing. And you get a bonus on top of that for making it to the finale,” she said during a 2025 episode of “The Morning After” podcast. “If you win, it’s not like you win a million dollars and split it with your partner. You’re just getting a cute trophy together.”

Although it hasn't been revealed how much Tyra Banks is earning, Tom Bergeron was reportedly earning around $150,000 per episode during his time as host. With 10 to 12 episodes per season, he would have made between $1.5 and $1.8 million a season.

According to multiple reports, the professional dancers are only paid $1,200 when first starting out. Their salaries increase per episode and change the longer they are part of the franchise. Returning pros reportedly make closer to $5,000 an episode.

“I was given the boot down to troupe for four or five seasons,” Lindsay Arnold opened up going from a season 16 pro to troupe member during a January 2022 appearance on Jason Tartick’s “Trading Secrets” podcast. “In hindsight, I know that I wasn’t quite ready. I needed to find out who I was, first of all."

When DWTS bumped her down to background dancer, she alleged that her salary was cut by “more than half” and called it a “total pay cut.” 

“As a backup dancer, back when I did it, yes, because there were two seasons a year,” Arnold added about her troupe salary, noting that having both fall and spring seasons doubled her paycheck. “But, with one season a year, no [I don’t think it’s livable], I guess it depends on the kind of life that you live, but living in L.A., paying rent, buying food there, paying for gas, like, you’d be really tight.”