Dancing with the Stars contestants make a starting salary of around $125,000, which covers the rehearsal period and the first two weeks on the show. From week three onwards, contestants earn additional bonuses per week based on how far they advance in the competition. The bonuses increase progressively, with amounts like $10,000 for weeks 3-4, $15,000 for week 5, $20,000 for weeks 6-7, $30,000 for weeks 8-9, and $50,000 for the semi-finals and finale weeks. The maximum a contestant can earn in a season is reportedly around $295,000, although earlier seasons saw earnings up to $345,000. The winner receives the Mirror Ball trophy but no additional large cash prize beyond these earnings.
Professional dancers on the show earn significantly less than celebrities. New pros reportedly start at around $1,200 per episode, with experienced pros earning up to about $5,000 per episode, potentially making between $50,000 to $100,000 or more in a season depending on their tenure and popularity.
