Have you ever wondered how much celebrities pocket for their stint on Dancing With the Stars? According to a 2019 report by Variety, contestants initially earn $125,000 for the rehearsal period and the first two weeks on the show. The report further reveals that if they advance beyond those initial weeks, their pay increases with each subsequent episode, potentially reaching a cap of $295,000.

Yet, some stars seem to have negotiated even better deals. For instance, Bobby Bones, who clinched victory in season 27 alongside Sharna Burgess in 2018, suggested he earned more than the reported maximum.

In a September 2025 episode of Jason Tartick‘s podcast Trading Secrets, the radio host shared insights into his earnings from the show. “The pay structure was interesting,” he noted. “Initially, there’s no payment for the first episode. From there, it’s $10,000 for the second, and then it escalates to $20,000 in the following episodes.” Bones detailed that this progression could lead to a hefty sum if one remains in the competition, amounting to about $50,000 per episode in later stages.

On top of that, Bones disclosed that he received a base salary close to $110,000, ultimately amassing nearly $400,000 from his participation on the show.

Also receiving a base salary of around $110,000, Bones continued, “I ended up making close to $400,000 from that show.” 

ABC has not publicly confirmed any of these figures.