Rates, 2026
What should a sound mixer charge in New York or LA?
About $700 a day for a sound mixer who is working and booked in New York or Los Angeles. $550 in the first years, $850 when senior.
Other markets: a major city · remote · a smaller market
First years
$550
a day · $70 an hour
Working, booked
$700
a day · $90 an hour
Senior, sought after
$850
a day · $100 an hour
The rate card, working level
- Day rate$700 per day
- Hourlyfor anything that does not fit a day$90 per hour
Sold by the day. The day is the unit; half days run 60%.
What to charge for each thing
Ranges for New York or Los Angeles: the low end is the first years, the high end is senior. Working and booked sits in the middle.
- Half day$350 to $600 per half day
- Kit only$150 to $350 per day
- Podcast or interview session$300 to $600 per session
How the number is made
Sound mixers at this level day at about $700 ($500 to $900 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 sound mixer in New York or LA?
- About $700 a day for someone working and booked, $550 in the first years, $850 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 operatorgafferhair and makeup artistwardrobe stylistproduction assistant