Crew rates
What crew get paid in Texas
Union minimums by job and budget, from each agreement, and day rates Texas crew report.
How it works
Anonymous. A job shows as a range once five people report it.
Union minimums by job
| Job | Department | Minimum | Agreement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaffer | Grip & electric | $50.26/hour | IATSE Area Standards Agreement |
| Key grip | Grip & electric | $50.26/hour | IATSE Area Standards Agreement |
| Best boy grip or electric | Grip & electric | $45.85/hour | IATSE Area Standards Agreement |
| Dolly grip | Grip & electric | $45.85/hour | IATSE Area Standards Agreement |
| Grip, electrician | Grip & electric | $41.47/hour | IATSE Area Standards Agreement |
| Sound mixer | Sound | $50.26/hour | IATSE Area Standards Agreement |
| Boom operator | Sound | $45.85/hour | IATSE Area Standards Agreement |
| Prop master, set decorator | Art | $50.26/hour | IATSE Area Standards Agreement |
| Set dresser, prop person | Art | $41.47/hour | IATSE Area Standards Agreement |
| Key costumer | Wardrobe | $45.85/hour | IATSE Area Standards Agreement |
| Script supervisor | Production | $50.26/hour | IATSE Area Standards Agreement |
| Director of photography | Camera | $150.54/hour | ICG Local 600 Basic Agreement |
| Camera operator | Camera | $93.06/hour | ICG Local 600 Basic Agreement |
| 1st AC | Camera | $67.99/hour | ICG Local 600 Basic Agreement |
| 2nd AC | Camera | $62.71/hour | ICG Local 600 Basic Agreement |
| DIT | Camera | $93.04/hour | ICG Local 600 Basic Agreement |
| Director, commercials | Directing | $1,841/day | DGA Commercial Agreement |
| 1st AD, commercials | Directing | $1,280/day | DGA Commercial Agreement |
| 2nd AD, commercials | Directing | $750/day | DGA Commercial Agreement |
Full-scale minimums. Low-budget agreements, below, run lower.
SAG-AFTRA actors, by budget
2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30| Budget | Agreement | Day rate |
|---|---|---|
| Under $300K | Ultra Low Budget Project Agreement | $257 |
| Under $700K | Moderate Low Budget Project Agreement | $449 |
| Under $2M | Low Budget Theatrical Agreement | $834 |
| Full scale | Codified Basic Agreement, theatrical | $1,283 |
Plus pension and health contributions on top of scale. Full terms below.
SAG-AFTRA
15 agreementsMicro-Budget Project AgreementLive-action scripted or unscripted projects budgeted at $20,000 or less per picture (or per episode), recorded entirely in the US, shown only at festivals, on free ad-supported new media, public access TV, for demos, in classrooms, or for Academy qualifying screenings. No stunts, nudity or simulated sex, commercials, music videos, corporate or branded content, animation, or video games. Not allowed if the producer has been paid for distribution rights.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Performer | Negotiable | day |
Agreement form dated December 2020; terms restated in an August 2026 SAG-AFTRA bulletin. Most terms, including pay, are negotiated between producer and performer. The agreement does not make a performer eligible to join the union. The producer still has to follow minimum wage and workers' compensation law. If the project breaks the rules, SAG-AFTRA moves it to the closest agreement and the producer owes that agreement's minimums, minus what was already paid. Bulletin: sagaftra.org ↗︎ Source ↗︎
Student Film AgreementSingle student films with budgets up to $35,000, shown in the classroom, 35 minutes maximum.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Principal performer | $125 | day, deferrable |
SAG-AFTRA low-budget contracts one-sheet dated October 2026. Only principal performers are covered; background actors are not. If there are stunts, a stunt coordinator is required at Theatrical Basic Agreement rates. Source ↗︎
Short Project Agreement (SPA)Projects budgeted at $50,000 or less with a total run time of 40 minutes or less, shot entirely in the US. Can premiere in theaters, at festivals or on new media.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Principal performer, deferred minimum | $257 | day |
| Background actor, deferred minimum | $173 | day |
| Stunt coordinator (below flat-deal minimum) | $1,283 | day |
| Stunt coordinator (below flat-deal minimum) | $4,785 | week |
| Stunt coordinator, flat deal | $1,996 | day |
| Stunt coordinator, flat deal | $7,872 | week |
2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (rate sheet covers 2026-07-01 to 2030-06-30). Up-front pay is negotiated in good faith. The deferred amounts (20% of the Basic Agreement day rate for principals, 75% for background) come due if the project is released to a later paid market. Day performer deferred minimum rises to $264 on 2027-07-01. Pension and health contribution is 22% for performers and 21.5% for background actors from 2026-09-06. Background actors are covered only in SAG-AFTRA background zones, 3 per project. Source ↗︎
Ultra Low Budget Project Agreement (UPA)Films shot entirely in the US with a maximum budget of $300,000. Can premiere in theaters, at festivals or on new media.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Performer | $257 | day |
| Stunt coordinator (below flat-deal minimum) | $1,283 | day |
| Stunt coordinator (below flat-deal minimum) | $4,785 | week |
| Stunt coordinator, flat deal | $1,996 | day |
| Stunt coordinator, flat deal | $7,872 | week |
2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (rate sheet covers 2026-07-01 to 2030-06-30). The performer rate is 20% of the Basic Agreement day rate and rises 3% a year: $264 on 2027-07-01, $272 on 2028-07-01, $280 on 2029-07-01. There is no weekly rate. Only professional performers are covered, not background actors. Pension and health contribution is 22% from 2026-09-06. Diversity and background incentives can raise the budget cap. Source ↗︎
Moderate Low Budget Project Agreement (MPA)Films shot entirely in the US with a total budget under $700,000. The cap rises to $950,000 with the Diversity-in-Casting Incentive, or by $112,000 with the Background Actor Incentive.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Performer | $449 | day |
| Performer | $1,560 | week (5-day studio week) |
| Stunt performer | $449 | day |
| Stunt performer | $1,675 | week |
| Dancer, solo or duo | $449 | day |
| Background actor (only when covered) | $231 | day |
| Stand-in or photo double (only when covered) | $270 | day |
| Stunt coordinator (below flat-deal minimum) | $1,283 | day |
| Stunt coordinator, flat deal | $7,872 | week |
2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (rate sheet covers 2026-07-01 to 2030-06-30). Performer rates are 35% of Basic Agreement rates and rise 3% a year (day rate $462 on 2027-07-01). Background actors are not covered unless the production uses the Background Actor Incentive. Pension and health contribution is 22% for performers and 21.5% for background actors from 2026-09-06. A six-day overnight location week adds four hours at straight time. Source ↗︎
Low Budget Theatrical Agreement (LBA)Theatrical films shot entirely in the US with a total budget under $2,000,000 (up to $3,000,000 with the Diversity-in-Casting Incentive). Requires an initial theatrical release and an 80-minute minimum run time.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Performer | $834 | day |
| Performer | $2,896 | week (5-day studio week) |
| Stunt performer | $834 | day |
| Stunt performer | $3,110 | week |
| Dancer, solo or duo | $834 | day |
| Singer, solo or duo | $904 | day |
| Background actor (background zones only) | $231 | day |
| Stand-in or photo double (background zones only) | $270 | day |
| Stunt coordinator (below flat-deal minimum) | $1,283 | day |
| Stunt coordinator, flat deal | $7,872 | week |
2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (rate sheet covers 2026-07-01 to 2030-06-30). Performer rates are 65% of Basic Agreement rates and rise 3% a year (day rate $859 on 2027-07-01). Background actors are covered only in SAG-AFTRA background zones, up to 30 a day. Pension and health contribution is 22% for performers and 21.5% for background actors from 2026-09-06. Rate sheet labeled Ver 7.2, dated 6/15/26. Source ↗︎
Codified Basic Agreement, theatrical (full scale)Theatrical films with budgets above the low-budget caps, and the base that the low-budget rates are calculated from.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Day performer | $1,283 | day |
| Weekly performer | $4,456 | week |
| Stunt performer | $1,283 | day |
| Stunt performer | $4,785 | week |
| Background actor (Schedules X-I and X-II) | $231 | day |
| Special ability background actor | $241 | day |
| Stand-in or photo double | $270 | day |
| Stunt coordinator, flat deal | $1,996 | day |
| Stunt coordinator, flat deal | $7,872 | week |
2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (contract term runs to 2030-06-30). Rates rise 3% each July 1 through 2029 (day performer $1,321 on 2027-07-01). The previous year's (2025-07-01 to 2026-06-30) day rate was $1,246. Background schedules X-I and X-II cover set background zones; see the SAG-AFTRA Texas notes entry. Source ↗︎
Television AgreementNew TV series and programs whose principal photography starts on or after 2026-07-01, plus ongoing series under earlier SAG television agreements.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Day performer | $1,283 | day |
| Weekly performer | $4,456 | week |
| Three-day performer, half-hour or one-hour show | $3,252 | 3 days |
| Major role performer, half-hour program | $7,057 | week |
| Major role performer, one-hour program | $11,290 | week |
| Stunt performer | $4,785 | week |
2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (contract term runs to 2030-06-30). Rates rise 3% each July 1 through 2029. Source ↗︎
New Media Agreement (Deferrable)Episodic projects budgeted under $50,000 made for initial release on new media platforms.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Day performer, deferred minimum | $257 | day |
| Background actor, deferred minimum | $173 | day |
| Stunt coordinator, flat deal | $1,696 | day |
| Stunt coordinator, flat deal | $6,520 | week |
2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (rate sheet covers 2026-07-01 to 2030-06-30). Up-front pay is negotiable. Deferred pay comes due immediately if the program goes to a consumer-pay platform (rent or buy) or to traditional media. Pension and health contribution is 21.5% from 2026-09-06. Background actors are covered only in background zones, up to 10 a day. Source ↗︎
Special New Media Agreement, Category AEpisodic new media projects budgeted at $50,000 to under $300,000 (per-episode budget for a series).
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Performer | $257 | day |
| Background actor | $173 | day |
| Stand-in or photo double | $203 | day |
2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (rate sheet covers 2026-07-01 to 2030-06-30). Performers get 20% of the TV Agreement day rate and background actors 75% of TV scale. Pay cannot be deferred. Pension and health contribution is 21.5% from 2026-09-06. Source ↗︎
Special New Media Agreement, Category BEpisodic new media projects budgeted at $300,000 to under $700,000.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Performer | $449 | day |
| Performer | $1,560 | week |
| Stunt performer | $1,675 | week |
2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (rate sheet covers 2026-07-01 to 2030-06-30). Performers get 35% of TV Agreement rates. Background actors get the full TV Agreement rate. Pay cannot be deferred. Source ↗︎
Special New Media Agreement, Category CNew media projects (single or episodic) budgeted at $700,000 to under $1,000,000. Category D, at $1,000,000 and up, pays full TV Agreement rates.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Performer | $834 | day |
| Performer | $2,896 | week |
| Stunt performer | $3,110 | week |
2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (rate sheet covers 2026-07-01 to 2030-06-30). Performers get 65% of TV Agreement rates. Background actors get the full TV Agreement rate. Source ↗︎
Vertical AgreementProjects up to $300,000 released in chapters of about 3 minutes or less on mobile apps.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Lead performer | $250 | 8-hour day |
| Other performer | $164 | 8-hour day |
SAG-AFTRA low-budget contracts one-sheet dated October 2026. Background actor terms come from SAG-AFTRA directly. Background actors are not covered unless the production uses the background incentive. Source ↗︎
2025 Commercials Contract (Year 2)Union commercials, all markets.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| On-camera principal, session fee | $855.20 | per commercial |
| Off-camera principal, session fee | $643.00 | per commercial |
| General extra, first commercial | $466.60 | day |
| Stand-in | $513.10 | day |
| Hand model, first commercial | $711.80 | day |
2026-04-01 to 2027-03-31. The session fee covers the shoot; use fees (wild spot, cable, digital, streaming) are paid on top and depend on the media buy. Pension and health contribution is 23.5%. Source ↗︎
Texas local notes (Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston-Austin locals)
Performers and producers working in Texas. The Texas local pages publish office contacts only, no separate rates. The Dallas-Fort Worth office serves Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. SAG-AFTRA's Texas-only bulletin says Texas falls in the 'all other areas' group of the agency commission chart. For TV, theatrical and streaming jobs, agents here usually negotiate scale plus 10%, and that 10% is the agent's whole commission. Background actor schedules X-I and X-II cover the Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Hawaii, Las Vegas and New York zones. Texas is not on that list, so Texas background work is generally not covered under low-budget agreements. Digest: sagaftra.org ↗︎ Source ↗︎
IATSE
5 agreementsArea Standards Agreement (ASA) 2024-2027, theatrical, non-Maryland ratesAMPTP-signatory theatrical productions in the 23 ASA local jurisdictions, which include Local 484 (Texas and Oklahoma). Texas uses the 'Non-Maryland' schedule.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Key tier (gaffer, key grip, prop master, set decorator, sound mixer, construction coordinator, SFX coordinator, VTR/playback; script supervisor and key hair/makeup when hired locally) | $50.26 | hour |
| Second tier (best boy grip/electric, dolly grip, boom operator, assistant prop master, key costumer, leadperson, generator operator, assistant hair/makeup, key craft service, first aid) | $45.85 | hour |
| Third tier (grip, electrician, set dresser, costumer, prop person, cable utility, set painter, craft service assistant) | $41.47 | hour |
| Utility technician | $37.12 | hour |
2026-08-02 to 2027-07-31. Previous period (2025-08-03 to 2026-08-01): Key $47.61, Second $43.43, Third $39.28, Utility $35.16. Wardrobe supervisor, costume designer and production office coordinator are negotiated individually. Locations positions are covered only in certain states, and Texas is not one of them. Camera is covered separately by ICG Local 600. The 2024 deal set scale raises of 7%, 4% and 3.5%, plus regional adjustments, and triple time after 15 elapsed hours. Rate document dated 2024-07-01, posted by IATSE Local 798. Source ↗︎
Area Standards Agreement (ASA) 2024-2027, television, non-Maryland ratesAMPTP-signatory TV productions in ASA jurisdictions, including Texas.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Second tier, pilots / long-form / first-year one-hour series | $43.94 | hour |
| Third tier, pilots / long-form / first-year one-hour series | $39.67 | hour |
| Utility, pilots / long-form / first-year one-hour series | $35.31 | hour |
| Second tier, all other TV | $44.81 | hour |
| Third tier, all other TV | $40.44 | hour |
| Utility, all other TV | $36.02 | hour |
| Assistant production office coordinator / art department coordinator (TV) | $31.05 | hour |
2026-08-02 to 2027-07-31. Key-level TV rates outside Maryland are negotiated individually. Source ↗︎
Low Budget Theatrical Agreement (LBTA), 2026 wage scalesICG Local 600, camera · Theatrical films up to $16.5M. Ultra-Low: up to $3,300,000. Tier 1A: $3,300,001-$6,875,000. Tier 1B: $6,875,001-$9,900,000. Tier 2: $9,900,001-$13,750,000. Tier 3: $13,750,001-$16,500,000. Texas is not on the production-city list, so Tier 2 and 3 use the non-production-city columns unless crew are hired from or travel from LA or a production city.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Director of photography, all tiers | Subject to negotiation | hour |
| Any camera position, Ultra-Low | Negotiated; floor is the higher of 125% of statutory minimum wage or $15 | hour |
| 1st assistant camera, Tier 1A | $34.42 | hour |
| 2nd assistant camera, Tier 1A | $31.11 | hour |
| Camera operator / DIT / still photographer, Tier 1B | $40.45 | hour |
| 1st assistant camera, Tier 1B | $36.09 | hour |
| 2nd assistant camera, Tier 1B | $32.77 | hour |
| Camera operator / DIT / still photographer, Tier 2 non-production city | $62.06 | hour |
| 1st assistant camera, Tier 2 non-production city | $53.85 | hour |
| 2nd assistant camera, Tier 2 non-production city | $41.26 | hour |
| Camera operator / DIT / still photographer, Tier 3 non-production city | $65.32 | hour |
| 1st assistant camera, Tier 3 non-production city | $56.67 | hour |
| 2nd assistant camera, Tier 3 non-production city | $43.43 | hour |
2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31. Production cities: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Orlando, San Francisco, St. Louis, New York, Washington, D.C. Camera operator is subject to negotiation at Tier 1A. 'Subject to negotiation' rates must exceed the straight-time key rate. With Texas's $7.25 minimum wage, the Ultra-Low floor works out to $15 an hour. Tier thresholds rose 10% from 2025, when Ultra-Low was up to $3,000,000. Card updated 2/3/26. Source ↗︎
Basic Agreement, amendment agreement outside 'the Corridor', Central Region (includes Texas), Panel 1ICG Local 600, camera · Theatrical features, high-budget streaming features, and season 3+ one-hour network, pay TV or high-budget streaming episodic shot in ICG's Central Region, which includes Texas.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Director of photography (daily schedule) | $150.54/hour; $1,204.32 | day (8 hours) |
| Director of photography (weekly schedule) | $5,792.26 | week |
| Camera operator (daily schedule) | $93.06/hour; $744.48 | day (8 hours) |
| Camera operator (weekly schedule) | $3,683.66 | week |
| 1st assistant photographer (daily schedule) | $67.99 | hour |
| 2nd assistant photographer (daily schedule) | $62.71 | hour |
| Digital imaging technician (daily schedule) | $93.04/hour; $744.32 | day |
| Digital utility (daily schedule) | $48.58 | hour |
2026-08-02 to 2027-07-31. Daily schedule pays 1.5x after 8 hours. Texas is assigned to the Central Region on ICG's regional map (updated 3/31/25): icg600.com ↗︎. The rate tables are images in the PDF; only Panel 1 was transcribed. Card updated 08/02/2026. Source ↗︎
IATSE Local 484 (Studio Mechanics, Texas and Oklahoma)
Film, television, commercial and music video production in Texas and Oklahoma. Local 484's public site posts no rate sheets or tier tables. Rates sit behind the member portal or come from the business office: (512) 385-3466, office@iatse484.org. The local is a referral service, not a hiring hall. Its own site lists its jurisdiction as Texas and Oklahoma only, not Louisiana. Joining requires 90 paid non-union days or 30 union days in the same craft. Source ↗︎
DGA
5 agreementsLow Budget Sideletter (LBSL), theatrical directorsTheatrical films budgeted up to $11M. Levels 1-2: up to $3M. Level 3: over $3M to $4M. Levels 4A-4B: over $4M to $8.5M. Level 4C: over $8.5M to $11M.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Director, Levels 1 and 2 (up to $3M) | Negotiable | week |
| Director, Level 3 (33% of BA) | $8,321 | week; 13-week guarantee |
| Director, Level 3, daily where permitted | $2,080 | day |
| Director, Levels 4A and 4B (75% of BA) | $18,911 | week; 13-week guarantee |
| Director, Level 4C (90% of BA) | $22,693 | week; 13-week guarantee |
2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30. DGA says Level 3 totals $108,168 over the 13-week guarantee. The rate card is marked tentative and subject to change. Employer pays 8.75% to pension, 13.5% to health, and 0.25% for paid parental leave. Source ↗︎
Low Budget Sideletter (LBSL), UPMs and assistant directors, Levels 1-3Level 1A: up to $500K. Level 1B: over $500K to $1.1M. Level 2: over $1.1M to $3M. Level 3: over $3M to $4M.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| All AD/UPM, Level 1A | Negotiable, not below federal or state minimum wage | hour |
| UPM, Level 1B (33% of BA) | $2,375 | week |
| 1st AD, Level 1B | $2,258 | week |
| Key 2nd AD, Level 1B | $1,513 | week |
| Other 2nd AD, Level 1B | $1,058 | week |
| UPM, Level 2 (50% of BA) | $3,599 | week |
| 1st AD, Level 2 | $3,422 | week |
| Key 2nd AD, Level 2 | $2,293 | week |
| Other 2nd AD, Level 2 | $1,318 | week |
| UPM, Level 3 (60% of BA) | $4,318 | week |
| 1st AD, Level 3 | $4,106 | week |
| Key 2nd AD, Level 3 | $2,751 | week |
| Other 2nd AD, Level 3 | $1,581 | week |
2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30. Daily rates are one quarter of the weekly rates at Levels 1B-3. Weekly production fees: Level 2 is $100 for the UPM, 1st AD and key 2nd AD. Level 3 is $200 for the UPM and 1st AD and $150 for the key 2nd AD. Levels 1A and 1B have none. The rate card is marked tentative. Source ↗︎
Low Budget Sideletter (LBSL), UPMs and assistant directors, Level 4Level 4A: over $4M to $5.5M (70% of BA). Level 4B: over $5.5M to $8.5M (80%). Level 4C: over $8.5M to $11M (90%).
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| UPM, Level 4A, studio | $5,038 | week |
| 1st AD, Level 4A, studio | $4,790 | week |
| Key 2nd AD, Level 4A, studio | $3,210 | week |
| UPM, Level 4A, studio | $1,259 | day |
| 1st AD, Level 4A, studio | $1,198 | day |
| UPM, Level 4B, studio | $5,758 | week |
| 1st AD, Level 4B, studio | $5,474 | week |
| UPM, Level 4C, studio | $6,477 | week |
| 1st AD, Level 4C, studio | $6,159 | week |
2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30. Location weekly salaries are higher; for Level 4A they are UPM $7,053, 1st AD $6,700 and key 2nd AD $4,485. Production fees also apply; for Level 4A the weekly studio fees are UPM $1,098, 1st AD $889 and key 2nd AD $677. The rate card is marked tentative. Source ↗︎
Basic Agreement, theatrical directors and Article 13 AD/UPM general ratesTheatrical films above the $11M low-budget ceiling; the AD/UPM general rates also apply to all pay TV and high-budget streaming projects.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Director, high-budget theatrical | $25,214 | week; 2 weeks prep + 10 weeks + 1 week cutting guaranteed |
| Director, shorts and documentaries | $18,007 | week |
| Director, daily employment where permitted | $6,304 | day |
| UPM, studio | $7,197 | week |
| 1st AD, studio | $6,843 | week |
| Key 2nd AD, studio | $4,585 | week |
| 2nd 2nd AD, studio | $4,329 | week |
| Additional 2nd AD, studio | $2,635 | week |
| UPM, location | $10,076 | week |
| 1st AD, location | $9,571 | week |
| 1st AD, studio, daily | $1,711 | day |
2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30. Weekly production fees are on top: UPM $1,560 studio / $1,857 location; 1st AD $1,270 / $1,560; key 2nd AD $967 / $1,270. Rate cards revised 9/23/26. Source ↗︎
Commercial AgreementUnion commercials.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Director | $1,841 | day |
| Director | $7,364 | week |
| UPM | $1,052 | day |
| 1st AD | $1,280 | day |
| 2nd AD | $750 | day |
| 2nd 2nd AD | $637 | day |
| Additional 2nd AD | $525 | day |
2025-12-01 to 2026-11-30. The overtime hourly rate is 1/14 of the daily rate for the first eight hours, and 1.5x that hourly rate for hours 9-12. A 6th day pays 150% and a 7th day pays double. A new rate card is due 2026-12-01. Source ↗︎
WGA
3 agreements2026 Minimum Basic Agreement, theatrical, low budgetTheatrical films costing less than $5,000,000.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Original screenplay including treatment | $92,268 | flat |
| Non-original screenplay including treatment | $80,735 | flat |
| Original screenplay excluding treatment, or purchase of original screenplay | $61,990 | flat |
| Non-original screenplay excluding treatment, or purchase | $50,448 | flat |
| Rewrite of screenplay | $30,273 | flat |
| Polish of screenplay | $15,148 | flat |
| Original story or treatment | $41,806 | flat |
2026-05-02 to 2027-05-01 (schedule covers through 2030-05-01). Employer pension and health on top: 11.25% to the pension plan (9.75% for pilots and first seasons), 16.25% to the health fund (16.75% from 2027-05-02), and 0.25% for paid parental leave. Minimums rise each May 2; original screenplay including treatment is $95,036 from 2027-05-02. Source ↗︎
2026 Minimum Basic Agreement, theatrical, high budgetTheatrical films costing $5,000,000 or more.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Original screenplay including treatment | $173,215 | flat |
| Original screenplay excluding treatment, or purchase | $126,899 | flat |
| Rewrite of screenplay | $46,152 | flat |
| Polish of screenplay | $23,077 | flat |
2026-05-02 to 2027-05-01. Same pension and health contributions as the low-budget schedule. Source ↗︎
WGA Theatrical Low Budget Agreement (LBA)Narrative feature films with a total production cost of $1,200,000 or less, deferred pay included. The writer must request it and the company must file with the WGA.
| Role | Minimum | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Original screenplay excluding treatment, budget under $200,000 (25% of minimum) | $15,498 | flat |
| Original screenplay excluding treatment, budget $200,000-$499,999 (50% of minimum) | $30,995 | flat |
| Original screenplay including treatment, budget $200,000-$499,999 (50% of minimum) | $46,134 | flat |
| Original screenplay excluding treatment, work for hire, budget $500,000-$1,200,000 (full minimum, not deferrable) | $61,990 | flat |
| Original screenplay including treatment, work for hire, budget $500,000-$1,200,000 | $92,268 | flat |
| Spec script purchase, budget $500,000-$1,200,000, due at start of principal photography | $10,000 | flat; balance may be deferred |
| Script Publication Fee (required at $500,000+, not deferrable there) | $6,250 | flat |
2026 filing documents, period 1 (minimums for 2026-05-02 to 2027-05-01). Below $500,000 the parties can choose either the reduced percentage paid up front or a deferral of up to 100% of the full minimum. Deferrals must be on terms at least as good as the director's. Below $200,000 (25% option) and $200,000-$499,999 (50% option), no Script Publication Fee is required. The filing has internal inconsistencies in the under-$200,000 original-including-treatment line: 25% is stated as $23,067, but the spec-sale amount is $22,726 and the commencement payment is $6,867. Confirm with the WGA before quoting that line. Source ↗︎
Non-union work
Non-union crew in Texas fall under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Texas adopts the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, in effect since July 24, 2009, through the Texas Minimum Wage Act (Labor Code Chapter 62). That state law excludes jobs already covered by the FLSA, so for most productions the federal rules control. There is no daily overtime in Texas or under the FLSA. Overtime is 1.5x the regular rate for hours over 40 in a fixed 168-hour workweek, and hours cannot be averaged across weeks. For crew paid a flat day rate, salary or other non-hourly pay, the 'regular rate' for overtime is the average hourly rate those earnings work out to. A day rate does not make anyone exempt from overtime. Exemptions for executive, administrative and professional staff (including the creative professional exemption for invention, imagination, originality or talent) require pay on a salary or fee basis of at least $684 a week. The 2024 rule that would have raised that figure was vacated in court, and DOL formally restored the $684 level on May 14, 2026. The highly compensated employee threshold is $107,432 a year. Under the Texas Payday Law (Labor Code Chapter 61), non-exempt employees must be paid at least twice a month, and exempt employees at least monthly. Fired or laid-off workers must get final pay within six calendar days; workers who quit get it on the next regular payday. Wage claims must be filed within 180 days of when the wages were due. Source ↗︎ Source ↗︎ Source ↗︎ Source ↗︎ Source ↗︎ Source ↗︎ Source ↗︎
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Union minimums; many deals pay more. Not legal or tax advice. Checked Oct 18, 2026.