Actor Salary Calculator

What acting work pays in 2025–26

SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity negotiate scale minimums directly with the studios, networks, and Broadway producers, and the rates get published in signed contracts rather than left to guesswork. The table below covers the categories this calculator uses, current for the periods noted on each agreement.

How the calculator works

The negotiating position input applies a multiplier to the union minimum. Scale minimum uses a multiplier of 1. An established name with real credits typically negotiates around 2x scale, and an in-demand name with box-office or ratings pull can push past 5x scale before backend deals even enter the picture.

Representation is deducted from the gross before taxes. SAG-AFTRA franchise rules cap agent commissions at 10%, entertainment attorneys customarily take another 5%, and a manager adds 10% more where one is used, which is where the 15% and 25% options in the calculator come from. Taxes are then applied at the effective top-bracket rates used across our net worth model, about 45% in California and about 33% in states with no income tax; the full breakdown is on our methodology page.

What the minimums hide

Scale rates describe what a booked day, week, or episode pays, not what an actor earns across a full year. Most working actors do not book year-round, and long stretches between jobs are the norm. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median hourly wage for actors at $23.33 (May 2024), with the top 10% earning more than $97 an hour.

At the other extreme, working stars negotiate individual deals that leave scale behind entirely, with backend points tied to box office and residuals that pay out for years after a project wraps. Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio are two documented examples, with every deal traced year by year in their profiles.

Frequently asked questions

How much do actors make per movie?

Scale minimum for a film role is $1,246 per day or $4,326 per week under the 2025–26 SAG-AFTRA agreement, so a supporting part shot over four weeks pays around $17,000. Established names negotiate multiples of scale, and documented star deals run from $1M to over $20M per picture. Our actor pay guide covers the full range.

Do actors get paid for reruns?

Yes. Residuals pay performers each time work is reused. For theatrical films in TV windows, SAG-AFTRA residuals pay the cast pool 3.6% of the distributor's gross receipts, and streaming pays fixed residuals plus, since 2023, a bonus tied to viewership on the biggest titles. For a working actor a popular rerun can out-earn the original session fee.

How much do Broadway actors make?

The Equity production contract minimum is $2,717 per week from September 2025, rising 3% a year under the current agreement. Over a 52-week run that is about $141,000, and principals in hit shows negotiate above the minimum. Swings earn an additional 6%.

How much do background actors make?

The SAG-AFTRA background rate is $224 per day for July 2025 to June 2026, with overtime after 8 hours and a 20.5% employer pension and health contribution on top. Non-union background work typically pays less.