Dancing With the Stars has captivated audiences for years, but have you ever wondered how much its celebrity contestants earn? Over the years, various reports have shed light on the financial aspects of competing on the popular dance competition. Let’s take a closer look at what stars can expect in terms of pay.
Initial Compensation and Weekly Earnings
According to a 2019 report by Variety, contestants typically receive a base salary of $125,000 for the rehearsal period and the first two weeks of the season. If they successfully progress beyond that initial phase, their earnings increase with each subsequent week. At that time, insiders indicated that the maximum a contestant could earn was around $295,000.
Bobby Bones’ Experience and Earnings
However, former contestant Bobby Bones, who emerged as the winner of season 27 alongside professional dancer Sharna Burgess in 2018, disclosed that his earnings were considerably higher than those reported figures. During a September 2025 episode of Jason Tartick’s podcast, Trading Secrets, Bones shared details about his payout structure. He mentioned that contestants do not earn money during the first episode, but in subsequent episodes, the pay begins at $10,000 per episode, increasing to $50,000 per episode for those who last through the competition.
Bones elaborated further, stating, “That show pays OK. Like, first episode, no money. Second episode, $10,000. I think it’s like, $10,000, $10,000, $20,000, $20,000. It ends up being $50,000 an episode if you last.” He also confirmed that in addition to the initial fee, he had a base salary of around $110,000, ultimately leading him to earn close to $400,000 from his time on the show.
Official Earnings Still Unverified
While these details provide an interesting glimpse into potential earnings on Dancing With the Stars, it’s important to note that ABC has not officially confirmed any of the figures reported by various sources. As a result, the exact compensation for contestants remains somewhat ambiguous.
Whether contestants earn the reported amounts or more, one thing is certain: competing on Dancing With the Stars offers not just fame and a chance to showcase talent but also significant financial rewards for those who advance in the competition.
