Rates, 2026
What should a director of photography charge in a major city?
About $1,100 a day for a director of photography who is working and booked in a major city like Chicago, Atlanta, Miami or Austin. $800 in the first years, $1,400 when senior. Also called: cinematographer.
Other markets: New York or LA · remote · a smaller market
First years
$800
a day · $100 an hour
Working, booked
$1,100
a day · $150 an hour
Senior, sought after
$1,400
a day · $175 an hour
The rate card, working level
- Day rate$1,100 per day
- Hourlyfor anything that does not fit a day$150 per hour
Sold by the day. 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.
- Shoot day, owner-operator (with your camera package)$1,025 to $2,125 per day
- Half day$425 to $775 per half day
- Camera package rental$250 to $775 per day
- Prep or scout day$350 to $600 per day
How the number is made
Director of photographys at this level in this market day at about $1,100 ($800 to $1,800 in New York and LA). Put in the year you actually want on the perfect price page and the number moves with it.
Questions
- What is a fair day rate for a director of photography in a major city like Chicago, Atlanta, Miami or Austin?
- About $1,100 a day for someone working and booked, $800 in the first years, $1,400 when senior and sought after. Half days usually run 60% of the day.
- 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.
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