Fans watching Dancing With the Stars Season 35 may be surprised to learn that competing on the ballroom floor can come with a significant financial incentive. Although the show does not publicly disclose individual celebrity contracts, reported figures indicate that contestants can earn more money the longer they remain in the competition.
According to figures reported by Parade, celebrity contestants have traditionally started with about $125,000. That initial amount reportedly covers the rehearsal period and the first several weeks of the competition, meaning celebrities are compensated before they ever perform on live television.
The reported structure can become more lucrative as contestants advance. Celebrities who survive into later weeks can receive additional payments, creating a financial reason to remain in the competition alongside the obvious goal of reaching the finale and winning the Mirrorball Trophy.
Under the reported figures, contestants who make it through Weeks 3 and 4 can receive an additional $10,000 per week. The amount reportedly increases to $15,000 for Week 5, followed by larger weekly payments as the competition continues.
The increases become even more substantial during the middle and later stages. Reported figures put the additional payment at $20,000 per week for Weeks 6 and 7 and $30,000 per week for Weeks 8 and 9.
Contestants who make it all the way to the semifinals and finale can reportedly receive another $50,000 for each of those stages. Based on those reported figures, a celebrity who reaches the end of an 11-week season could potentially earn around $360,000 in total.
However, those numbers should not be treated as official Season 35 salaries. Dancing With the Stars has never publicly confirmed the individual compensation packages for its celebrity contestants, and contracts can vary depending on the deal negotiated with each participant.
There is also evidence that the reported maximum has changed over the years. Former contestant Bobby Bones said in 2025 that he earned close to $400,000 overall when he won Season 27, while other reports have previously placed the maximum possible contestant earnings at about $295,000.
Professional dancers also have their own compensation arrangements. Reported figures suggest newer pros can start at roughly $1,600 per episode, while more experienced dancers may negotiate substantially higher amounts. However, these figures are also unconfirmed and can depend on individual contracts and how long a dancer remains involved in the season.
For the Season 35 celebrities, then, the financial picture is about more than simply receiving a paycheck for appearing on the show. The reported structure means surviving additional rounds can increase the potential earnings considerably. With the competition already underway and eliminations beginning, every extra week in the ballroom could potentially make a difference—not only to a contestant’s journey toward the Mirrorball Trophy, but also to their reported earnings.
Compiled with information from various sources.
