Rates, 2026
What should a production assistant charge in a major city?
About $275 a day for a production assistant who is working and booked in a major city like Chicago, Atlanta, Miami or Austin. $225 in the first years, $325 when senior.
Other markets: New York or LA · remote · a smaller market
First years
$225
a day · $30 an hour
Working, booked
$275
a day · $35 an hour
Senior, sought after
$325
a day · $40 an hour
The rate card, working level
- Day rate$275 per day
- Hourlyfor anything that does not fit a day$35 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.
- Half day$125 to $225 per half day
- Office or prep day$175 to $250 per day
- Overtime past 12 hours$20 to $35 per hour
How the number is made
Production assistants at this level in this market day at about $275 ($250 to $400 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 production assistant in a major city like Chicago, Atlanta, Miami or Austin?
- About $275 a day for someone working and booked, $225 in the first years, $325 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.
More in production crew
producerdirectordirector of photographycamera operatorsound mixergafferhair and makeup artistwardrobe stylist