Session Vocalist Rates & Scale
How studio, broadcast, commercial, stage, and touring vocal work is structured and compensated.
Collective bargaining agreements establish minimum baseline terms across jurisdictions. Understanding how agreements govern specific mediums, how multi-tracking surcharges apply, and how residual use cycles operate protects both performers and employers.
Figures reviewed August 2026 — always confirm current scale with the union.
Which agreement governs your job
Vocal session compensation depends primarily on the medium, distribution channel, and production jurisdiction of the engagement. The basic decision path determines which collective bargaining agreement or private negotiation standard applies:
- Film, Television, Commercials, Animation, Video Games, New Media → SAG-AFTRA
- Live Theatrical Stage, Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional Theatre → Actors' Equity Association (AEA)
- Instrumental Accompaniment & Union Touring Ensembles → American Federation of Musicians (AFM)
- Private / Non-Union Direct Bookings & Independent Demos → Direct contractor negotiation against stated floors
In union collective bargaining, scale represents a floor, not a ceiling. Performers and their representatives remain entirely free to negotiate compensation above minimum scale based on individual market demand, specialized skill sets, or project scope.
How studio vocal work is actually priced
Studio vocal contracts separate rate compensation into distinct structural tiers. Specifically, overdubbing and sweetening are surcharges applied to the session rate, whereas solo/duo versus group (3–8, 9+) represents the separate rate class axis. A group singer can sweeten their parts, and a solo vocalist can decline multi-tracking.
Overdubbing
Multi-tracking the same vocal part to thicken or double it. Adds a 33.3% surcharge to the applicable session rate and permits unlimited tracking of that specific part.
Sweetening
Recording a different vocal part over your own existing track (such as new harmonies, descants, or ad-libs). Doubles the applicable session rate (+100%) and includes unlimited multi-tracking across all recorded parts.
Additional Studio Provisions
- Step-out Provisions: When a vocalist performing in a group of 3 or more is requested to step out and perform solo or duo lines for up to 15 cumulative bars, they receive +50% of the solo/duo rate on top of the group rate. If the solo/duo lines exceed 16 bars, or if the performer is held back after the group has been released, they receive the full solo/duo rate in addition to the group rate.
- Vocal Contractor Premium: Required on any vocal session engaging a group of 3 or more singers. The contractor must be a performing member of the group (unless precluded by age or gender casting requirements). Pays a premium of +50% for groups of 3–8 vocalists, and +100% for groups of 9 or more.
- Mouthing (Theatrical On-Camera): When performing on-camera to a pre-record of the vocalist's own voice: $1,019 for 1–16 singers; $793 each for groups of 17 or more.
- Pension & Health (P&H): Employer contributions are paid as a separate cheque directly to the union benefits plans (approximately 20.5% for background singers and 21–22% for principal vocalists). P&H is an additional employer obligation and is never deducted from the singer's gross session fee.
SAG-AFTRA Theatrical / Motion Picture, by budget tier
In Theatrical and Motion Picture agreements, the applicable scale tier is determined strictly by the total production budget of the film, not by performer seniority or role size.
| Agreement Tier | Production Budget | Solo / Duo Day | Solo / Duo Week | Group 3–8 Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theatrical Basic Agreement | Over $2,000,000 | $1,391.00 | $4,456.00 | $1,218.00 |
| Low Budget Agreement (LBA) | $700,000 – $2,000,000 | $904.00 | $2,896.00 | $792.00 |
| Moderate Low Budget (MPA) | $300,000 – $700,000 | $487.00 | $1,560.00 | $426.00 |
| Ultra Low Budget (UPA) | Under $300,000 | $278.00 | — | — |
Source: SAG-AFTRA Theatrical Rates (as of August 2026). Group rates decrease further for ensembles of 9+ vocalists. The 3-hour recording session rate applies exclusively to standard-budget theatrical productions.
Network Code — Television, Variety & Award Shows
The SAG-AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting (Network Code) covers variety shows, late night programs, talk shows, game shows, and live award ceremonies. Rather than standard day rates, Network Code utilizes a program fee model priced according to broadcast length.
| Broadcast Length | Program Fee (3–8) | Days Included | Rehearsal Hours | Beyond Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15–30 minutes | $637.00 | Show day | 4.5 hrs | $57/hr |
| 30–60 minutes | $791.00 | Show day + 1 | 8.0 hrs | $57/hr |
| 60–90 minutes | $941.00 | Show day + 1 | 10.5 hrs | $57/hr |
| 90–120 minutes | $1,087.00 | Show day + 1 | 14.5 hrs | $57/hr |
Off-Camera Vocalists: Solo / duo rate is $1,009 for 4 hours; multi-tracking adds +50%, sweetening adds +100%, and combined multi-tracking and sweetening adds +100%.
Award Shows: Major broadcast award shows realistically require a nine-hour block on show day. Overtime is billed in 15-minute increments.
Source: SAG-AFTRA Network Code rate sheet, 2025 Agreement (column effective 5 July 2026 — August 2026). On-camera chorus figures are group 3–8; ensembles of 9+ scale lower. Off-camera solo/duo is a flat program fee for any broadcast length.
Commercials — where the money actually is
In commercial advertising, session compensation comprises two components: the initial session recording fee and the residual cycle payments based on broadcast medium, market weight, and run duration.
Initial session base fee: $783.10 on-camera; $588.90 off-camera.
| Broadcast Use Type | 4 Weeks | 13 Weeks | 52 Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild spot, on-camera | $873.60 | $2,184.00 | $7,862.40 |
| Wild spot, off-camera | $655.20 | $1,638.00 | $5,896.80 |
| National cable, on-camera | — | $4,100.00 | $13,500.00 |
| National cable, off-camera | — | $3,075.00 | $10,125.00 |
| AONALU (All Other North America), on-camera | — | $1,092.00 | — |
| AONALU, off-camera | — | $819.00 | — |
Commercial Residual Impact
A singer who signs a flat buyout on a jingle that then runs nationally for a year has given away roughly ten times the session fee.
Source: SAG-AFTRA Commercials Agreement Rate Sheet (as of August 2026).
Animation and Episodic Television
Standard animation session scale sits at $1,130 – $1,290 (standard vs legacy schedule).
Multi-Character Protections: In animated productions (for films over 10 minutes), performing more than three distinct character voices in a single episode requires a supplementary payment of $365 – $376 per additional voice. This provision protects against a single performer being required to voice an entire ensemble cast under a single session fee.
Scripted Series Regulars: Half-hour scripted series regular rates sit at $4,456/week, or $5,947/week on a six-episode guarantee, compensating performers for category exclusivity and compressed production schedules.
Source: SAG-AFTRA Television & Animation Contracts (as of August 2026).
Stage — Actors' Equity Association (AEA)
Broadway Production Contract minimum sits at $2,717/week now, rising to $2,799 from 28 September 2026. Note that a 52-week annual projection is strictly hypothetical: shows close, seasonal hiatuses occur, and annual duration is not guaranteed.
Broadway Production Increments & Riders
- Dance Captain:+$464.40/wk
- Asst. Dance Captain:+$232.30/wk
- Swing Contract:+$116.15/wk
- Partial Swing:+$20.00/wk
- Understudy (Lead Role):+$60.00/wk
- Understudy (Chorus Role):+$17.50/wk
- Fight Captain:+$100.00/wk
- Employer Health Fund:$175.00/wk
Rider/exclusivity provisions add +$80/wk during the first six months, +$40/wk in the second six months, plus a $2,600 end-of-year retention payment. Agency commission is standard at 10% on earnings exceeding $525/week (capped at 5% during rehearsal periods); if a Chorus Contract salary does not exceed minimum after one year, the performer may opt out of commissions entirely.
Single Engagement Contract (Effective 23 Mar 2026 – 21 Mar 2027)
| Tier | Venue Size & Schedule | Weekly Minimum | Health Fund |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 Tier A | ≤ 99 seats, up to 4 performances | $386.00 | $180.00 |
| Category 1 Tier B | ≤ 199 seats, up to 5 performances | $551.00 | $195.00 |
| Category 2 Tier C | Expanded capacity / schedule | $769.00 | $220.00 |
Pension contribution sits at 8%. Out-of-town per diem is $35/day (defined as engagement where primary residence is 50+ miles from the venue). Overtime is paid at 1.5× hourly rate per half hour; invading the mandatory 12-hour rest interval escalates penalty pay to 2×. West End theatrical rates (Equity / SOLT agreement, 2026) sit at approximately £790 – £966/week.
Source: Actors' Equity Association Production & SET Agreements (as of August 2026).
Touring
Reported ranges — not negotiated scale
Figures in this section are informally reported by working performers, not from a published collective agreement, and vary widely by artist, territory, and production budget.
- Clubs & Small Rooms: Under $200/show (typically $175 – $250), with per diem of $20 – $25.
- Mid-Size Venues & Amphitheatres: $150 – $250/day, with per diem of $20 – $30. Travel days are sometimes compensated at a reduced rate of $100 – $200.
- Arena & Stadium Tours: $500 – $1,000/day plus $60 daily per diem. Ground travel, flights, touring catering, and individual hotel accommodations are provided by the production.
1099 vs. W-2 Worker Classification
Vocalists on scheduled, multi-state tours working under the direction of a Musical Director or bandleader generally meet the legal criteria for statutory employment. Independent contractor (1099) classification shifts employer tax liabilities and public liability onto the singer, while excluding workers' compensation protections. Proper classification is governed by federal and state labor laws.
Cruise Lines
Reported ranges — not negotiated scale
Figures in this section are informally reported by working performers, not from a published collective agreement, and vary widely by line, ship class, and contract length.
Cruise line employment economics differ from land-based work because room accommodations, meals, and international travel are covered by the cruise line.
- Solo / Piano Bar:from $3,300/mo
- Duo Vocalists:~$2,400/mo each
- Ensemble & Showband:$2,200 – $2,800/mo
- Bandmaster (Private Cabin):from $2,700/mo
- Licensed Broadway Production:~$4,000/mo
- Headline Guest Entertainer:$1,500 – $2,500+/wk
Private cabins are standard for solo guest artists and bandmasters. Agency commission structures vary across agencies.
Theme Parks
Theme park vocalists perform under specific collective bargaining agreements governing live stage shows, atmospheric performances, and parade entertainment.
$25.00 / hour
Actors' Equity Association collective agreement minimum.
$26.00 / hour
Current character-performer audition rate, first Equity contract; Look-Alike premium up to +$4.75/hr.
Disneyland cast members voted 953–258 to join Actors' Equity Association. Regional economic factors remain notable: Orange County, California's cost of living runs approximately 44.5% higher than Orlando, Florida.
What union scale does not cover
Direct and non-union vocal engagements are privately negotiated between the hiring party and the performer.
The registry lists studio and session work — per song, per session, per day — at $250 and above. SAG-AFTRA's lowest agreement, Ultra Low Budget, pays $278 for a solo or duo singer day, and no union agreement in this business permits less. The floor sits below it.
Touring and live work is not floored. Those markets price differently, as the figures above show, and a flat floor would refuse real work at the real rate.
This is a listing standard — a term of being listed here, set by the registry — not a rate the listed vocalists have agreed among themselves, and not a recommendation about what anyone should charge elsewhere. Above the floor, the number is between the contractor and the singer. Tracked Vocals displays each vocalist's own declared figure and sets nothing else.
Published union scale figures are documented on this reference page so both contractors and vocalists can examine the established compensation structures of comparable collective bargaining agreements.