how much do the stars make on dancing with the stars

The stars (celebrity contestants) on Dancing with the Stars typically start with a salary of about $125,000, which covers rehearsals and the first two weeks on the show. If they continue to advance in the competition, their pay increases weekly with bonuses: about $10,000 per week for weeks three and four, $15,000 for week five, $20,000 for weeks six and seven, $30,000 for weeks eight and nine, and $50,000 for the semi-finals and finale. The winner also receives a Mirror Ball trophy but no million-dollar prize. The total potential earnings for a star making it to the finale in an 11-week season could be around $295,000 to $360,000, depending on sources. Professional dancers (pros) start at about $1,200 per episode, with salaries growing the longer they stay. Experienced pros can make up to around $5,000 per episode, potentially earning up to $75,000 per season given the typical 10-15 episode run. The highest reported cap for a pro dancer's salary is around $100,000 per season. Hosts and judges earn significantly more, with past hosts like Tom Bergeron making around $150,000 per episode, totaling over a million per season. Current hosts and judges are expected to earn in a similar range. In summary, celebrity stars on Dancing with the Stars make between $125,000 and nearly $300,000 or more per season depending on their progression, while professional dancers earn from a few thousand to about $100,000 per season, with hosts and judges earning the highest salaries on the show.