Industry Rates
These rates and contract standards should be considered minimums and basic expectations for circus performers. Circus venues can range from small to large tents, traditional theaters, arenas, convention halls, sound and film stages, cruise ships and amphitheaters. Every contract can either span the length of a single day, 1 month to 3 months, 6 to 9 months or ongoing. Whether touring or stationary, circus performers are subcontracted for one contract and employees for the next. The budgets and company sizes can wildly differ, from a small cabaret show to a Cirque corporation, from indie film to the Olympic festivities.
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This document will try to cover various scenarios qualifying wage to production size. Our first consideration is a performing artist's fair wage, safety and longevity. Additionally, the numbers are based partially on unofficial community polling and the Dancers Alliance recordings of SAG-AFTRA Specialty Act standards.
Productions
With working budgets between
$30,000 - $200,000+
Weekly Rate:
$2,700 minimum
10 shows maximum within 5 days
Weekly tour rate minimums apply only to official tours, running no less than 3 weeks per leg (not including rehearsal). Spot dates and festival runs, both domestic and international, are exempt and should use show, rehearsal, travel and per diem minimum day rates only, unless otherwise negotiated by agents and dancers.
Single Show / Shoot Day Rate:
$1600 minimum
Rate for additional performance same or next day show is negotiable - Suggested $500/act
A performers working week cannot exceed five consecutive work days. If a performer works through their off day, it is double pay until the next off day. Performer shall be paid all applicable rates, for any services required, in one working day (i.e. travel + rehearsal, travel + show, rehearsal + show, travel + rehearsal + show).
Transportation:
$230 minimum per travel / retainer day
Performer shall receive business class, economy plus/comfort plus, or economy extra leg room travel, on flights 6 hours in length or more. When applicable, proper sleeper buses will be provided. Mileage for over 30 mile drive.
Per Diem:
$90 / Domestic
$120 / International
Per Diem can be negotiable. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) sets national, government regulated travel rates each fiscal year. Here are the current rates for the most commonly worked cities.
Click here to search your city rates.
Depending on the company policy, it can be distributed on the first day of the job, or inside your check, untaxed.
Part Time Consecutive Weekly/ Subcontractor
$500 minimum
Per show compensation, under 4 shows/week. Move to weekly rate for 5 to 10 shows/week. Performer shall be paid all applicable rates, for any services required, in one working day (i.e. travel + rehearsal, travel + show, rehearsal + show, travel + rehearsal + show).
Rehearsal:
$450 / 8hrs
Anything over 8 hours = time and a half
Productions
With working budgets between
$10,000 - $30,000
Weekly Rate:
$1650 minimum
10 shows maximum within 5 days
Weekly tour rate minimums apply only to official tours, running no less than 3 weeks per leg (not including rehearsal). Spot dates and festival runs, both domestic and international, are exempt and should use show, rehearsal, travel and per diem minimum day rates only, unless otherwise negotiated by agents and performer.
Single Show / Shoot Day Rate:
$1250 minimum
Rate for additional performance same or next day show is negotiable - Suggested $300/act
A performers working week cannot exceed five consecutive work days. If a performer works through their off day, it is double pay until the next off day. Performer shall be paid all applicable rates, for any services required, in one working day (i.e. travel + rehearsal, travel + show, rehearsal + show, travel + rehearsal + show).
Transportation:
$230 minimum per travel / retainer day
Performer shall receive business class, economy plus/comfort plus, or economy extra leg room travel, on flights 6 hours in length or more. When applicable, proper sleeper buses will be provided. Mileage for over 30 mile drive.
Per Diem:
$90 / Domestic
$120 / International
Per Diem can be negotiable. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) sets national, government regulated travel rates each fiscal year. Here are the current rates for the most commonly worked cities.
Click here to search your city rates.
Depending on the company policy, it can be distributed on the first day of the job, or inside your check, untaxed.
Rehearsal:
$200 / 8hrs
Anything over 8 hours = time and a half
Part Time Consecutive Weekly/ Subcontractor
$300 minimum
Per show compensation, under 4 shows/week. Move to weekly rate for 5 to 10 shows/week. Performer shall be paid all applicable rates, for any services required, in one working day (i.e. travel + rehearsal, travel + show, rehearsal + show, travel + rehearsal + show).
Productions
With working budgets upto
$10,000
Single Show / Shoot Day Rate:
$1000 minimum
Rate for additional performance same or next day show is negotiable - Suggested $200/act
A performers working week cannot exceed five consecutive work days. If a performer works through their off day, it is double pay until the next off day. Performer shall be paid all applicable rates, for any services required, in one working day (i.e. travel + rehearsal, travel + show, rehearsal + show, travel + rehearsal + show).
Transportation:
$230 minimum per travel / retainer day
Performer shall receive business class, economy plus/comfort plus, or economy extra leg room travel, on flights 6 hours in length or more. When applicable, proper sleeper buses will be provided. Mileage for over 30 mile drive.
Part Time Consecutive Weekly/ Subcontractor
$200 minimum
Per show compensation, under 4 shows/week. Move to weekly rate for 5 to 10 shows/week. Performer shall be paid all applicable rates, for any services required, in one working day (i.e. travel + rehearsal, travel + show, rehearsal + show, travel + rehearsal + show).
Rehearsal:
$200 / 8hrs
Anything over 8 hours = time and a half
Weekly Rate:
$1200 minimum