Image Source: www.careersinfilm.com
Extra Pay: How Much Do Extras Get Paid In Tv Shows Revealed
So, how much do extras get paid in TV shows? Most extras earn between minimum wage and about $200 per day. The exact pay rate changes a lot. It depends on if you are in the union (SAG-AFTRA) or not, the type of job you do, how long you work, and where the show is filmed. Many extras do this work for extra money or fun, not as a main job. Learning how to become a TV extra often starts with finding casting calls or signing up with an agency.
Figuring Out Extra Pay Rates TV
Getting paid as an extra on a TV show is not like having a regular job with a set salary. Your pay changes every day or every job. Think of it as a daily rate for extras. You get paid for the hours you work on a specific day of filming.
There are key things that make the pay different.
- Are you in the SAG-AFTRA union?
- Are you not in the union (non-union)?
- What is your specific role on set? Are you just in the background, or do you have a special task?
- How many hours do you work each day?
- Where is the TV show being filmed? Pay rates can be different in different states or cities.
We will look at these points more closely. It helps you see how much background actor salary can really be.
SAG AFTRA Extra Pay Explained
SAG-AFTRA is a big union for actors. It also covers background actors, or extras. If you are a member of SAG-AFTRA, you get set pay rates. These rates are agreed upon in contracts with TV and film companies.
Being in the union usually means higher pay. It also gives you better working conditions. You get things like breaks for meals and rules about how long you can work.
How SAG-AFTRA Rates Work
SAG-AFTRA sets a minimum daily rate. For TV shows made under their main contract, this rate is often around $180 to $200 per day. This is the pay for about 8 hours of work.
But your pay can go up because of other things:
- Overtime: If you work longer than the basic day (usually 8 hours), you get paid extra. Overtime pay is usually time-and-a-half or double time. Double time means you get paid twice your normal hourly rate. This adds up fast on long shoot days.
- Meal Penalties: TV shows must give extras meals at certain times. If they don’t, the production has to pay the extras a penalty fee. This is extra money added to your pay voucher.
- Wardrobe Bumps: Sometimes, the show asks you to bring your own clothes for a scene. If they use your personal clothes, they pay you extra money for it. This is called a wardrobe bump. If they ask you to bring special clothes, like a fancy suit or a uniform, the bump might be bigger.
- Prop Bumps: If you bring a special item (prop) the show wants to use, you can get paid extra for that too.
- Driving Own Car: If they ask you to drive your car in a scene, you get paid extra. They also pay you if you have to bring your car to set just to be parked in the background.
- Holiday Pay: Working on a holiday means you get paid a higher rate, often 1.5 or 2 times the normal rate.
- Late Night Filming: Sometimes, working very late at night can trigger special rates or rules.
Table: Sample SAG-AFTRA Extra Pay Rates (Estimates)
Keep in mind these are estimates. The exact rates can change with new union contracts.
| Item | Rate Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base Daily Rate | $180 – $200 (for 8 hours) | Standard pay for a day’s work |
| Overtime (1st 4 hrs) | 1.5 x Hourly Rate | For hours 9-12 in a day |
| Overtime (after 12) | 2 x Hourly Rate | For hours 13+ in a day |
| Meal Penalty | $8 – $25 per violation (can increase) | Paid if meals are late or missed |
| Wardrobe Bump | $10 – $20 per outfit (if using yours) | Extra for using personal clothing |
| Prop Bump | $10 – $20 per item (if using yours) | Extra for using personal items |
| Car Bump | $25 – $50 per day | Extra for using your car in scene or parking |
| Wet/Smoke/Special FX | $14 – $19 extra | If you get wet, are near smoke, etc. |
| Holiday Work | 1.5x or 2x Base Rate | Working on a recognized holiday |
So, while the base pay is around $200, a long day with overtime, a meal penalty, and a wardrobe bump can easily push your daily pay to $300, $400, or even more.
Non Union Extra Rates Explained
Many extras are not members of SAG-AFTRA. These are called non-union extras. Non union extra rates are usually lower than union rates. They also have fewer rules about working conditions.
Non-union rates are not set by a single contract like SAG-AFTRA. They can vary a lot depending on:
- The size of the production (a big network show vs. a small cable show).
- The budget of the show.
- Where the show is filmed.
- The casting agency used.
How Non Union Rates Work
Most non-union jobs also pay a daily rate for extras. This rate is often based on a 10-hour or 12-hour workday, not just 8 hours like SAG-AFTRA.
Typical non union extra rates can range from minimum wage up to $100 or $150 per day. Sometimes a bit more for longer days.
- Lower Base Pay: The starting pay is lower than union jobs.
- Longer Standard Day: The day rate often covers 10 or 12 hours. Overtime might only start after those hours.
- Fewer Guaranteed Perks: Wardrobe bumps, prop bumps, and car bumps might be lower or not offered at all.
- Overtime is Less Predictable: Overtime rates are not strictly set by a union contract. They might be lower than union rates.
- Meal Penalties Not Guaranteed: Productions should give meal breaks, but they might not pay penalties if they are late.
Table: Sample Non Union Extra Pay Rates (Estimates)
These rates show a general range. Your actual pay could be higher or lower.
| Item | Rate Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base Daily Rate | $70 – $150 (for 10-12 hours) | Standard pay for a day’s work |
| Overtime | Varies (could be 1.5x hourly after base hours) | Not always guaranteed or set rate |
| Meal Break | Usually provided | Penalties for late meals are not standard |
| Wardrobe/Prop/Car | Varies (some might pay small bumps, some don’t) | Less common or lower pay than union |
For a non-union extra, a standard day might pay $100 for 10 hours. If they work 12 hours, they might get $130. A very long 15-hour day could potentially pay $180-$200, but this is less common and still likely less than a union extra would make for the same hours with overtime.
Many TV shows, especially big ones, like to hire union extras because they have access to a large pool of experienced people. But non-union extras are hired all the time, especially for shows with smaller budgets or in areas where there aren’t as many union members.
Roles That Affect Extra Pay
Not all extras are just people walking in the background. Some roles pay more because they require you to do something specific or be seen more clearly.
Featured Extra Pay
A featured extra is a background actor who stands out more than usual. They might be in a scene where they are closer to the main actors, or they might have a small action to do. For example, they might pretend to be a waiter taking an order, a specific customer in a shop, or someone reacting visibly to something happening.
Featured extras do not have speaking lines. If they speak, they become a different type of actor with a much higher pay rate.
Because they are more visible, featured extras usually get paid more than standard background actors. This is often called a “bump.”
- SAG-AFTRA Featured Pay: Union featured extras get the base daily rate PLUS an extra amount, often around $18 to $36 per day. This means their daily pay starts higher than a regular extra.
- Non-Union Featured Pay: Non-union productions might also pay more for featured roles. The bump amount varies but could be $10, $20, or $30 extra per day.
Casting directors will often ask if you are comfortable being a featured extra. Being open to this can lead to more jobs and higher paychecks.
Stand-In Pay Rate
A stand-in is different from a regular extra. A stand-in takes the place of a main actor during rehearsals and when the camera crew is setting up the shots and lights. They need to be about the same height, build, and complexion as the actor they are standing in for.
Stand-ins don’t appear on screen in the final show. Their job is to help the crew work out the technical details before the main actor comes to the set.
Because this job requires matching an actor and often involves more waiting and specific positioning, stand-ins get paid more than regular extras.
- SAG-AFTRA Stand-In Pay: Union stand-ins have a higher daily rate than regular extras. It is often around $210 to $230 per day for 8 hours. They also get overtime and other bumps like regular extras.
- Non-Union Stand-In Pay: Non-union stand-in rates are also higher than non-union extra rates, but lower than union stand-ins. They might range from $150 to $200 per day for 10-12 hours.
Stand-in work can be less exciting than being on camera as an extra, but it is a steady way to be on set and get paid more.
Photo Double Pay
A photo double is similar to a stand-in but is used for specific shots. They need to look very much like the main actor, sometimes even having the same haircut or body type. They might be used for shots where the main actor’s face is not seen, perhaps for a wide shot or a shot focusing on the actor’s hands or feet.
Photo doubles get paid even more than stand-ins or featured extras.
- SAG-AFTRA Photo Double Pay: The union rate for photo doubles is higher than stand-ins, often starting around $250 to $300 per day.
- Non-Union Photo Double Pay: Non-union photo double rates are also higher than their stand-in or extra rates, possibly in the $200-$250 range per day.
These specialized roles (featured, stand-in, photo double) are part of the various acting extra jobs you can do on a TV set. They offer higher pay for more specific tasks or visibility.
The Daily Rate for Extras Explained
Let’s look closer at the idea of a daily rate. When you are hired as an extra, you are usually hired for one day at a time. The pay is listed as a rate per day.
For SAG-AFTRA, a standard “day” is 8 hours. The base rate covers these 8 hours. If you work more than 8 hours, you start earning overtime.
For non-union jobs, a standard “day” might be 10 or 12 hours. The base rate covers these longer hours. Overtime starts after that standard day length.
What a Day on Set Can Look Like
A typical day on a TV set for an extra can be long.
- Call Time: You get a call time, which might be very early in the morning (5 am or 6 am is common).
- Check-in: You arrive, check in, and get your pay voucher.
- Wardrobe/Hair/Makeup: You might go to wardrobe to get clothes, or get your hair and makeup done if needed.
- Holding Area: You wait in a holding area with other extras until you are needed on set. This can take hours.
- On Set: When called, you go to the set. The director or assistant director tells you what to do (walk from here to there, pretend to eat, etc.).
- Filming: You film the scene. This might be done many times (takes). You might wait between takes or setups.
- Meals: You get meal breaks. Lunch is usually after about 6 hours of work.
- More Filming/Waiting: You continue filming or waiting.
- Wrap: When the day’s filming is done for your group, you are “wrapped.” You check out, make sure your pay voucher is signed, and go home.
A “short” day might be 6-8 hours. A “long” day can easily be 12-14 hours. Very long days can be 16+ hours. The longer the day, the more overtime pay you get, especially with SAG-AFTRA rates. This is why Extra pay rates TV can change so much day-to-day.
Comprehending Average Extra Income
It’s hard to say exactly what the average extra income is over a year. This is because working as an extra is often not a full-time job.
- Work is Not Steady: You are hired job by job. Some weeks you might work 3 or 4 days. Other weeks, you might work zero days.
- It Depends on Location: Cities with lots of TV production (like Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Vancouver) have more jobs. You have a better chance of finding work there. Smaller cities have fewer jobs.
- Union vs. Non-Union: Union extras generally make more per day, but it can be harder to join the union. Non-union jobs might be more available, but the pay is less.
- Availability: If you are very available (can work any day, any time), you will likely get more calls than if you have limited availability.
Making a Living as an Extra
For most people, being an extra does not provide enough money to live on. It’s side income.
- Occasional Work: Many people work as extras only a few times a year for fun and a little extra cash.
- Frequent Part-Time: Some people work more regularly, maybe 1-3 days a week. This can add up to a few hundred dollars a week sometimes, but it is still not a stable income.
- Full-Time Goal: A small number of dedicated extras, often in major production hubs and often union members, try to make it a full-time job. They might work 4-5 days a week on different shows. Even then, income can vary wildly from month to month.
Someone working non-union 2 days a week at $100/day makes about $800 a month before taxes. This is not much to live on.
A union extra working 3 longer days a week (with some overtime) might average $400-$600 per day. That could be $1200 – $1800 a week, or $4800 – $7200 a month before taxes, if they can get that much work consistently. But getting 3 long union days every single week is very difficult.
So, while some experienced, well-connected union extras in busy cities might make a modest living ($30k-$50k+ per year sometimes), it is rare and takes a lot of effort, networking, and luck to get that many jobs. Most extras should view it as supplemental income.
Fathoming Acting Extra Jobs
Extra work is part of the acting world, but it is different from being a main actor. Extra jobs are also called background jobs or background acting.
- No Speaking Lines: The main rule is that extras do not speak on camera unless specifically directed and paid much more.
- Creating the Scene: Extras help make the background of a scene look real. If a scene is in a restaurant, extras are the customers and staff. If it is in a park, extras are the people walking or sitting.
- Following Direction: Extras need to follow directions precisely. They are told where to walk, when to stop, what to do with their hands, and where to look.
- Patience is Key: Lots of time on set is spent waiting. Extras need to be patient and quiet.
Acting extra jobs can be fun. You get to see how TV shows are made. You might see famous actors. It is a unique experience.
Some people start as extras hoping to become actors with lines. This happens sometimes, but it is not common. Casting directors might notice a reliable extra for a small speaking role (this is called being “bumped up” to a principal actor), but most actors get speaking roles through auditions and acting training, not through background work.
However, extra work is a good way to:
* Learn about being on a professional set.
* Meet people in the industry (crew members, other extras).
* Get comfortable being in front of cameras.
* Earn some money while pursuing acting training or other goals.
It is important to have realistic expectations. Extra work is a job, and you are there to help the production, not to be discovered.
How to Become a TV Extra
So, you want to try being an extra and earn some of that Extra pay rates TV offers? Here are the basic steps on how to become a TV extra:
- Figure Out Union Status: Decide if you want to try for union jobs or non-union jobs.
- Getting into SAG-AFTRA takes time and specific work credits. You usually need to get hired for a certain number of union extra jobs or a principal role. Most people start non-union.
- Get Photos Ready: You need recent, clear photos of yourself.
- Headshot: A picture of your face and upper body.
- Body Shot: A picture showing your full body.
- Photos should be natural. No heavy makeup, no hats covering your face, no busy backgrounds. Show what you look like right now. Productions hire based on specific looks needed for a scene.
- Find Casting Calls: Look for casting notices for extras.
- Casting Websites: Many websites list extra jobs. Search online for “[Your City] extra casting calls” or “background actor jobs [Your City]”. Popular sites exist for major production cities.
- Casting Agencies: The best way is often to sign up with casting agencies that specialize in background actors. These agencies work directly with TV shows and movies to find the types of people they need.
- Search for “[Your City] extra casting agency” or “background actor agency [Your City]”.
- Agencies usually require you to submit photos and information (height, weight, sizes, car info, special skills).
- Some agencies charge a small fee to be listed in their database, others do not. Be careful of agencies asking for large upfront fees – legit ones usually take a percentage of your pay when you work.
- Social Media: Follow casting directors and agencies in your area on social media. They often post calls there.
- Create a Profile: When you sign up with an agency or a casting website, you will create a profile. Fill this out completely and accurately.
- Include all your sizes (shirt, pant, shoe, jacket).
- List any special skills (playing an instrument, sports, specific types of jobs).
- Mention if you have visible tattoos or piercings (some shows want them, some don’t).
- Say what year, make, model, and color your car is, and include a photo of it (for car bumps).
- Be Available: Once you are in databases, casting directors will look for people who fit the roles needed. They will call or email you if they might want to book you. You need to respond quickly.
- Be Reliable: If you get booked, show up on time, follow directions, and be professional. Being reliable makes agencies want to hire you again.
Acting extra jobs are entry-level positions in the film and TV world. They don’t need acting experience, but they do need you to be dependable and follow instructions.
Getting Paid: The Voucher System
How do extras actually get their background actor salary? TV shows use a system called a pay voucher or time card.
- Signing In: When you arrive on set, you sign in and get a voucher. It has your name and information.
- Tracking Time: Someone from production tracks your time. They note your start time (call time), when your meal breaks start and end, and your end time (wrap time).
- Adding Bumps: If you get any extra pay (wardrobe, prop, car, featured), it is marked on your voucher.
- Signing Out: At the end of the day, you sign out. The production assistant or a casting representative will also sign your voucher to approve the hours and bumps.
- Keeping a Copy: Always take a picture of your signed voucher or keep a copy. This is your record of how much you worked and what you earned that day.
- Payment: You don’t get paid on the same day. The agency or payroll company processes the voucher. You usually get paid a week or two later by check or direct deposit.
This voucher system is standard for both union and non-union Extra pay rates TV. It is how your daily rate for extras is calculated and recorded.
Factors Beyond the Rate Card
Besides the base rate and bumps, other things can affect your take-home pay or the overall experience:
- Location & Travel: If the filming location is far away, you might spend a lot on gas or public transport. This comes out of your pay. Sometimes productions pay a small travel allowance, but not always.
- Weather Holds: If outdoor filming is stopped due to rain or bad weather, you might be sent home early or just wait around and still get paid, but it’s unpredictable.
- Cancellations: Sometimes a job gets canceled the day before or even the morning of. You might get a small cancellation fee if you are union, but often non-union extras get nothing.
- Waiting Time: As mentioned, there is a lot of waiting. Your pay starts at your call time, so you are paid for waiting, but it can be boring.
- Taxes: Pay is before taxes. Taxes will be taken out like any other job.
These points show that the number on your pay voucher isn’t always the full story of the day’s cost or experience.
FAQ: Your Questions About Extra Pay and Work
Here are some common questions people ask about being an extra.
Q: Is being a TV extra a full-time job?
A: For most people, no. It is usually part-time or occasional work. It is very hard to get enough steady work to live on just by being an extra, especially if you are non-union or not in a major production city.
Q: How often can I work as an extra?
A: It depends on where you live, how many shows are filming, your look (do you fit what they need?), your availability, and if you are union or non-union. Some weeks might be busy, some might have no work at all.
Q: Do I need acting experience to be an extra?
A: No, you do not need acting experience. You just need to be able to follow directions, be on time, and be patient.
Q: How do I get paid?
A: You fill out a pay voucher or time card on set. The production sends it to a payroll company or the casting agency, and they pay you later, usually within one or two weeks, by check or direct deposit.
Q: Do I have to pay a fee to an agency?
A: Legitimate agencies might charge a small fee (like $10-$20 per year) to be in their database. They also take a commission (usually 10%-20%) from your paycheck after you work a job they booked you for. Be careful of agencies asking for hundreds of dollars upfront before you get any work.
Q: Can I be an extra if I have a regular job?
A: Yes, many extras have other jobs. However, call times can be very early and shoot days can be very long. You need to have a flexible schedule or be able to take days off on short notice.
Q: What should I bring to set?
A: Often, you need to bring several changes of clothes based on what the casting notice asked for. Bring comfortable shoes to wear while waiting. Bring something to do while waiting (book, phone, etc.). Bring your ID for check-in.
Q: Is it fun being an extra?
A: Many people find it fun because you get to see behind the scenes of a TV show, meet different people, and be part of a production. However, it also involves a lot of waiting, early mornings, and long days, which can be tiring.
Extra pay rates TV and background actor salary can vary a lot. But understanding the difference between SAG AFTRA extra pay and non union extra rates, the daily rate for extras, and the specific roles like stand-in pay rate and featured extra pay gives you a clear picture of what to expect if you are interested in acting extra jobs or learning how to become a TV extra. While the average extra income isn’t enough for most people to live on, it can be an interesting way to make some extra money and experience the world of television production.