Rates, 2026
What should a director charge in a major city?
About $1,700 a day for a director who is working and booked in a major city like Chicago, Atlanta, Miami or Austin. $1,100 in the first years, $2,300 when senior. Directing a piece runs about $9,000.
Other markets: New York or LA · remote · a smaller market
First years
$1,100
a day · $150 an hour
Working, booked
$1,700
a day · $225 an hour
Senior, sought after
$2,300
a day · $300 an hour
The rate card, working level
- Day rate$1,700 per day
- Hourlyfor anything that does not fit a day$225 per hour
- Directing a piece$9,000 per project
Sold by the day, a project fee. The day is the unit; half days run 60%.
What to charge for each thing
Ranges for a major city like Chicago, Atlanta, Miami or Austin: the low end is the first years, the high end is senior. Working and booked sits in the middle.
- Treatment$425 to $2,125 per treatment
- Directing a social piece$2,125 to $5,100 per project
- Directing a commercial or brand film$5,100 to $17,000 per project
- Prep day$500 to $1,275 per day
How the number is made
Directors at this level in this market day at about $1,700 ($1,000 to $3,000 in New York and LA). Put in the year you actually want on the perfect price page and the number moves with it.
Directing a piece runs $4,000 to $15,000 and takes about 40 hours of your time; at your hourly that is $9,000. The number is the higher of the two, because the client is buying the outcome, not the hours.
Questions
- What is a fair day rate for a director in a major city like Chicago, Atlanta, Miami or Austin?
- About $1,700 a day for someone working and booked, $1,100 in the first years, $2,300 when senior and sought after. Half days usually run 60% of the day.
- How much is directing a piece?
- $9,000 at a working level in this market. The client is buying the outcome, so the price is the higher of what the market pays for it and what your hours in it are worth.
- Are these rates a rule?
- No. They are US 2026 ranges for the role, placed by level and moved for the market. What a client actually paid you beats all of it. The tool has a box for that, and it wins.
Your number, in five seconds.
Pick your level and market, get a card you can send the next client who asks. Then RostrLab quotes, papers, invoices and chases every job with it: free for 14 days, $29 a month, never a cut.
More in production crew
producerdirector of photographycamera operatorsound mixergafferhair and makeup artistwardrobe stylistproduction assistant