Pre-Production
Day Rates For Film Crew 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
“If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur”. Firefighter Red Adair wasn’t referring to the film industry, but he could have. Hiring a professional film crew is often critical to a successful production, but balancing resources can be challenging.
In this article, we'll explore the day rates for film crew 2024 as set by the film crew unions, the tier system that establishes their minimum pay, and the difference between production and non-production cities.
Day Rates For Film Crew 2024: What You Need to Know
Here are four considerations to take into account when calculating a crew member’s day rate:
Is the crew member union or non-union?
What tier does the budget fall under?
Is the production filming in a ‘Production City’?
What is the length of the shoot day?
Film Crew Unions
The first thing to determine with any film or video project is if it is a signatory to a union or a non-union production. The union has negotiated minimum rates for its members. If the production is not affiliated with a union, then using standard union rates can be a good guide to determine your worth, even if it is not guaranteed that you will be paid commercial rates.
Several unions oversee the interests of film industry crew.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) represents workers in the entertainment industry. It represents virtually all behind-the-scenes workers necessary to the industry's day-to-day operations.
There are more than 375 IATSE local unions within the U.S. and Canada. IATSE local unions are organized to represent workers by geographic and craft jurisdiction.
Each local functions independently, maintaining its own Constitution and By-Laws, elections, dues structure, membership meetings, and more. Locals negotiate labor contracts regarding wages, work rules, and grievance procedures.
Major Local Union List:
Affiliated Property Craftspersons (Local No. 44)
Motion Picture Set Painters and Sign Writers (Local No. 729)
Motion Picture Studio Teachers and Welfare Workers (Local No. 884)
The Tier System
Day rates for union film crew can be divided into high and low-budget productions. Within the low budget productions, there are tiers of payment.
This allows the union to distinguish between low, lower, lowest, and ultra-low-budget union films.
IASTE developed this system to allow producers to regulate wages and adjust them based on project type and the film's overall budget. Using this system, lower-budget films can set the rates based on budget limitations without exploiting the worker's compensation.
The following budget ranges determine the tiers:
Calculating Film Crew Rates
Production vs. Non-Production Cities
Within the 3 Tiers (not including the Ultra Low Budget), there is a divide between “production cities” and “non-production cities”. This determines the amount of money that is paid to the crew. Cities that see less production receive a slightly lower hourly and day rate.
Production cities are:
Los Angeles
New York
Chicago
San Francisco
Cleveland
Detroit
Orlando
St. Louis
Washington, D.C.
Length of the Shoot Day
Day rates can differ based on the number of hours worked in a day. Here is the breakdown of how wages are calculated on a shoot day:
If you know the length of your shoot days up front, you can calculate the day rate for each crew member using the following formulas:
Day Rates For Film Crew 2024 Tier Chart
With “Ultra Low Budget Film”:
At least 15 days of scheduled principal photography are required.
Production costs cannot exceed a budget of $2,750,000.
Wage rates for covered employees are negotiated with the employee.
Provided that the rates are not less than 125% of the applicable state statutory minimum wage. Overtime shall be computed and paid in compliance with applicable state legislation.
IATSE Rate Sheet 2024
Low Budget Theatrical Agreement
Please note that any ‘STN’ or ‘Subject to Negotiation’ rates must be greater than those for the keys, 2nd, and 3rd.
Directors, Assistant Directors & Unit Production Managers
The Directors Guild of America is a labor organization representing the creative and economic rights of directors and members of the directorial team working in film, television, commercials, documentaries, news, sports, and new media. In film, this includes Directors, Assistant Directors, and Unit Production Managers.
Director’s Day Rate
Under a DGA contract, feature film directors receive a weekly salary of $23,76. However, this is a high-level position negotiated depending on past quotes, experience, and the project's budget. For example, Christopher Nolan was reportedly paid $20 million upfront and 20 percent of the gross for Dunkirk. That’s quite a difference from the DGA Basic Agreement minimum.
Director High Budget Minimum Chart
Theatrical Directors - Low Budget Sideletter
Level 4A & 4B
Level 4C
Unit Production Manager & Assistant Directors General Rates
Film Rates for Teamsters
The Motion Picture and Theatrical Trade Division of the Teamsters represents thousands of workers in the motion picture industry, which includes the production of feature films, television programs, commercials, and live theatrical productions. Teamsters include drivers and other transportation professionals, animal wranglers, casting directors, location scouts, and others. In Hollywood, the Teamsters Union is local 399.
Here is a basic list of Teamster film rates:
Union Rates For Film Crew in More Detail
There are three important unions and pay scales to know.
Local 705 is the Motion Pictures Costumers.
Local 600 is the International Cinematographers Guild (ICG) of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
Local 80 represents motion picture studio grips, crafts service, set medics, marine, and warehouse workers.
Local 705 Pay Scale
Local 705 is divided into Finished Costumers, Custom Made Costumers, Costume House Costumers, and Television Costumers. The Finished and Custom Made Costumers work under the Film Production Contract. There are separate contracts for the Costume Houses and the Television Costumers.
Below is the Motion Picture Costumers Local 705 pay scale chart showing their range of day rates within the IATSE tier system.
Key Costume: $387 to $536
First Set Costume: $350 to $485
Custom Made Costumer: $350 to $485
Costumer: $312 to $464
Local 600 Union Pay Scale
Local 600 is the International Cinematographers Guild (ICG) of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). IATSE Local 600 is also called IATSE 600, ICG 600, and 600 camera union. Anyone from cinematographers to film loaders to still photographers can join the union. Local 600 is open to anyone who supports the camera.
Below is the Local 600 Union Pay Scale Chart showing their range of day rates within the IATSE tier system. The director of photography is a negotiated position. Additionally, tier 1 rates for camera operator, digital imaging technician, and still photographer are subject to negotiation.
Camera Operator: STN to $774
Digital Imaging Technician: STN to $774
1st Assistant Camera / Focus Puller: $387 to $672
2nd Assistant Camera: $350 to $514
Still Photographer: STN to $774
Film Loader: $312 to $464
Camera Utility $387 to $536
Digital Utility $312 to $464
Local 80 Pay Scale
Local 80 represents motion picture studio grips, crafts service, set medics, marines and warehouse workers. Here are the most recent local 80 pay scale rate cards for studio grips and craft services.
Local 80 Grip Rates
The grip is in charge of setting up or rigging equipment to support the camera and lighting. They assist the cinematographer in preparing the technical aspects of capturing the image on film.
Below is the Local 80 grip rate chart showing their range of day rates within the IATSE tier system.
Key Grip: $387 to $536
Best Boy Grip: $350 to $485
Dolly Grip: $350 to $503
Grip: $312 to $464
Local 80 Craft Service Rates
Craft services, or crafty, is a film production position responsible for providing snacks and drinks to all crew members. It is different from catering, which provides hot, sit-down meals. Craft services are technically for the "crafts" -- the grips, costume department, makeup artists, camera, and lighting crew -- who need to be fueled throughout the workday.
Below are the Local 80 craft service rates which show their range of day rates within the IATSE tier system.
Craft Services: $350 to $485
Craft Utility: $312 to $464
Crew Rate Example Calculation
Confused yet? Don’t worry if you are. You can use the IATSE rate card for 2024 and charts provided in this article, it’s easy to determine any day crew rate.
For example, let’s say we’re hiring a Key Grip for a 10-hour day on a union shoot in New York. The film’s budget is coming in at $10,000,000.
Since a $10,000,000 budget would fall under a Tier Two budget, we’ll check the hourly rate for a key grip using the film crew tier chart. Additionally, since the film is set in New York, we’ll reference the ‘Production Cities’ number.
Based on the chart, the Key Grip’s hourly rate should be $42.48
Next, calculate the daily rate by referencing the day rate chart above.
$42.48 x 11 = $467.28
And there you have it. The union rate for a key grip is just under $470 per day.
Non-Union Film Crew Rates 2024
When working on a non-union production, the only protection you have in terms of non-union film crew rates is the minimum wage of applicable state law. The best way to determine a fair wage is to refer to the union minimum rates. Keep in mind that these rates fluctuate based on the project budget, so make sure to refer to the rates for your production budget.
This will give you a range of what to expect when negotiating your salary. To help, below is a range of day rates based on the minimum film crew union rates found in the low-budget theatrical contract.
Camera Operator Day Rate
A camera operator's day rate, using the IATSE tier system as a guide and an industry-standard 10-hour workday, would have an approximate minimum pay range of $600 to $650. You will likely pay a camera operator more based on experience, production city, and higher budget.
Union Makeup Artist Day Rate
A union makeup artist's day rate, using the IATSE tier system as a guide and an industry-standard 10-hour workday, would have an approximate minimum pay range of $325 to $475. It’s important to note that a kit rental is usually an additional negotiated cost. However, you may pay a union makeup artist more based on experience, production city, and higher budget.
Wardrobe Stylist Rate Sheet
A wardrobe stylist rate sheet is dependent on the production and role. A costume designer is a negotiated position depending on past credits and quotes. The wardrobe stylist could be the designer on a small-budget production or responsible for dressing the talent. Based on an IATSE union key costumer day rate and a 10-hour industry standard workday, a wardrobe stylist's day rate might range from $325 to $400. This could be higher based on experience, budget, and production city.
Gaffer Day Rate
A union gaffer's day rate, using the IATSE tier system as a guide and an industry-standard 10-hour workday, would result in a minimum pay range between $325 to $400. A rigging gaffer may be paid more based on experience, production city, and higher budget.
Production Assistant Day Rate
Production assistants do not have a union, so they negotiate their own rates, which can vary widely. However, the usual day rate for a production assistant is $150 to $250 per day, depending on experience and budget of the production.
Script Supervisor Day Rate
A script supervisor's day rate using the IATSE tier system as a guide and an industry-standard 10-hour workday would have an approximate minimum pay range of $325 to $450. It's highly likely that this role will be negotiated at a higher rate based on budget, experience, and production city since the minimum pay is dependent on industry experience.
Producer Day Rate
A producer’s salary is usually a negotiated flat rate or a percentage of the profits, which can result in an enormous payday. Since there are many types of producers on a film, each with different responsibilities, it is difficult to place a number on them. In commercial work, the producer day rate is typically in the $450 to $900 range but can be much higher.
Production Designer Day Rate
A production designer's rate is determined by past credits, previous quotes, and the production's budget. As this is a negotiated rate, there isn’t a minimum to consider. However, typically, a production designer's day rate can be anywhere from $450 to $2,000. Keep in mind that this number can be much higher depending on the scope of production.
Production Fixer Rates
Film fixers arrange interviews, location permits, transport, hotels, and location scouting for films. They are very much like producers or production coordinators. Often, fixers work for agencies, media companies, and film productions taking place abroad, where they need someone local to handle all the details. Production fixer rates vary from $700 to $1000 per day. However, keep in mind that an individual's quote might be much higher depending on the type of project.
DP Day Rate / Cinematographer Day Rate
The DP (director of photography) or cinematographer is a high-level position, and their salary is negotiated depending on experience. An established DP can earn six figures or more on a single project. For non-union freelancers working low-budget, the cinematographer day rate ranges between $1000 and $1800 per day. You should consider this a conservative estimate when preparing your budget. This is particularly true if you are working with union professionals who will have individual quotes and likely a much higher daily or weekly rate.
1st AC Day Rate / Focus Puller Day Rate
A 1st AC day rate or focus puller day rate using the IATSE tier system as a guide and an industry-standard 10-hour workday would have an approximate minimum pay range of $325 to $550. As this position works very closely with the cinematographer, you will likely pay a 1st AC / focus puller more based on experience, production city, and higher budget.
2nd AC Day Rate
A 2nd AC day rate using the IATSE tier system as a guide and an industry standard 10-hour workday would have an approximate minimum pay range of $320 to $420. You will likely pay a 2nd AC more money based on experience, production city, and higher budget.
Production Coordinator Day Rate
A production coordinator's day rate, using the IATSE tier system as a guide and an industry-standard 10-hour workday, would have an approximate minimum pay range of $325 to $440. You will likely pay a production coordinator more based on experience, production city, and higher budget.
Key Grip Day Rate
A key grip’s day rate, using the IATSE tier system as a guide and an industry-standard 10-hour workday, would have an approximate minimum pay range of $325 to $440 . It's likely you will pay a key grip significantly more based on experience, production city, and higher budget.
Additional Thoughts for Non-Union Crew 2023
Remember that if you are a crew member who is also providing your own kit (such as camera, electrical, audio, or grip equipment), you should charge extra for the rental. You should visit several rental house websites to compare rates for standard equipment rentals.
If you work in cities outside of New York or Los Angeles, you should research local film community websites or state film commissions for resources and comparative rates. For example, the Georgia Film Office has a wealth of information if you were seeking work in Atlanta.
Knowing if you are living and working in a right-to-work state is also crucial. A right-to-work state is a state that does not require union membership as a condition of employment. In other states, a person applying for a job where the employees are unionized could be required to join the union to be hired. There are 28 states with right-to-work laws: Arizona, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Texas, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Film Crew Pay Rates Wrapping Up
Rates for film crews are constantly changing and often amended. IATSE has only recently signed a tentative new deal with AMPTP. A ratification vote is expected to take place soon, which means that these rates will be updated for the coming years. Make sure to refer to the IATSE website for the most up to date information!
The best source of current information is available on each local union's website.
Here are some helpful resources.
There are 366 local unions across 14 districts. The local directory can help you get you in contact with the appropriate union for your hiring needs.
Assemble has a breakdown of SAG-AFTRA day rates and minimums.
Also check out this handy guide for any production hiring needs: film crew hierarchy chart.
Click here the most up-to-date news on IATSE initiatives
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