Rates, 2026
What should a gaffer charge in a smaller market?
About $450 a day for a gaffer who is working and booked in a smaller US market. $350 in the first years, $525 when senior.
Other markets: New York or LA · a major city · remote
First years
$350
a day · $45 an hour
Working, booked
$450
a day · $55 an hour
Senior, sought after
$525
a day · $65 an hour
The rate card, working level
- Day rate$450 per day
- Hourlyfor anything that does not fit a day$55 per hour
Sold by the day. The day is the unit; half days run 60%.
What to charge for each thing
Ranges for a smaller US market: the low end is the first years, the high end is senior. Working and booked sits in the middle.
- Half day$200 to $350 per half day
- Lighting package$150 to $425 per day
- Prelight or wrap day$250 to $425 per day
How the number is made
Gaffer or grips at this level in this market day at about $450 ($450 to $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 gaffer in a smaller US market?
- About $450 a day for someone working and booked, $350 in the first years, $525 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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