Top players take home vast annual salaries but not everyone involved in America’s most-watched sport are quite so lucky.
How much money do NFL referees and cheerleaders make?
The 2025 NFL season is now well underway, with the year’s big stories and narratives starting to take shape. But while fans tune in from around the world to watch the star players, few consider the experiences of the less-known figures that contribute to the spectacle.
The NFL relies on a huge cast of people to put on the show, all of whom earn far less than the players on the field.
How much do NFL referees get paid?
Officially, an NFL referee’s salary is undisclosed. However, it can be estimated based on the pay figures in the expired NFL CBA. An NFL referee earned an average of $205,000 in 2019.
The league pays its officials a flat rate plus a payment per game. This ensures that most officials can expect to earn six-figure salary throughout the regular season. Referees also receive large bonuses for officiating playoff games.
While fans are only aware of referees’ work on matchday, there is a lot that goes into officiating an NFL game. Officials are required to attend practices to improve their in-season performances, particularly when new regulations are introduced, and are expected to maintain a high level of fitness to keep up with the game.
How much do NFL cheerleaders get paid?
Unlike NFL referees who you can read more about here, cheerleaders in the league are paid on a game-to-game basis by the league. According to reports, NFL supporting cheerleaders pocket approximately $150 per game and between $50 and $70 for a public appearance on behalf of their respective teams.
Related stories
We think that information has been updated for many teams’ cheerleaders and in the case of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, they received a raise of 400 percent in 2025 and the most veteran cheerleaders are making around $150,000 a year. It’s hard to get exact figures on how much cheerleaders make, but it’s probably somewhere between $50,000 and $150,000 a year.
Cheerleaders’ low pay is due in part to their status as independent contractors. In some cases this means that teams are not required to pay salaries in line with state and federal minimum wages.
Complete your personal details to comment