How much do new actors get paid

The pay for new actors can vary widely depending on factors such as the type of production, the actor's level of experience, and the actor's union status. Here are some general guidelines on what new actors might expect to earn:

Union and Non-Union Rates

• SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) is the primary actors' union in the United States. New actors who join the union can expect to earn:
  • Background actors (extras): $100-$200 per day
  • Day players (small speaking roles): $500-$1,000 per day
  • Guest stars (larger speaking roles): $1,000-$5,000 per episode
• Non-union actors, who are not part of the SAG-AFTRA union, may earn lower rates:
  • Background actors: $50-$100 per day
  • Day players: $200-$500 per day
  • Guest stars: $500-$2,000 per episode

Residuals

• Residuals are payments made to actors for reuse of their work, such as reruns, streaming, or DVD sales. New actors may earn:
  • Background actors: 0.5% to 1% of the production's total budget
  • Day players: 2% to 5% of the production's total budget
  • Guest stars: 5% to 10% of the production's total budget

Other Forms of Compensation

• New actors may also receive other forms of compensation, such as:
  • Meal and transportation allowances
  • Housing stipends (for out-of-town productions)
  • Merchandise or product placement fees (for commercials or promotional materials)

Average Salaries for New Actors

• According to the Actors' Equity Association, the average annual salary for a new actor in the United States is around $30,000 to $40,000.
• The same source reports that the average annual salary for a SAG-AFTRA member is around $50,000 to $70,000.

Keep in mind that these are general estimates, and actual salaries can vary widely depending on the specific production, the actor's level of experience, and the actor's union status.