'Dancing with the Stars' Salaries: Who's Cashing in Big?

Beneath the sparkling exterior of “Dancing With the Stars” (DWTS) lies a lucrative performance-based pay model that incentivizes longevity. Both professional dancers and celebrity participants see their earnings increase as they progress through the competition. In DWTS, celebrities partner with pros to face weekly dance challenges. Season 34 debuted on ABC and Disney+ on September 16.Jenna Johnson, a professional dancer since 2014, offered insights during her June appearance on “The Morning After” podcast, noting that compensation fluctuates based on how long dancers stay in contention. “You’re guaranteed until a certain number of weeks,” Johnson explained, adding that different contracts exist.Kaitlyn Bristowe, a pro dancer who won Season 29, supported this pay structure on the “Trading Secrets” podcast, stating contestants receive weekly bonuses and the final four earn the same amount in the last episode. Celebrity contestants also reap substantial earnings, with initial payments reported at $125,000. As they progress, bonuses escalate, peaking during the semifinals and finale. Johnson clarified that winning the competition does not yield a cash prize.