Video Production Day Rates Guide

Based on 51,416+ real crew assignments across the United States

Assignment Desk publishes real video production day rates based on 51,416+ actual crew assignments. Rates cover 74 production roles including Directors of Photography, Camera Operators, Audio Technicians, Gaffers, Grips, and more. Data is sourced from actual billing records, not surveys or estimates, making it the most accurate day rate guide in the video production industry.

Day Rates by Role

1ST ASSISTANT CAMERA$59$274$57559
2ND ASSISTANT CAMERA$144$425$5006
ART DEPARTMENT$5$20$2716
ASSISTANT CAMERA$152$203$62515
ASSISTANT CAMERA (AC)$75$350$550456
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (AD)$263$625$7256
AUDIO (SOUND)$144$400$55080
AUDIO / SOUND: SOUND EQUIPMENT$45$300$60610
AUDIO OPERATOR$100$400$6006,541
AUDIO OPERATOR (A2)$120$500$80039
CAMERA (DP)$100$250$1,300443
CAMERA OPERATOR$65$250$90017,368
CAMERA UTILITY$83$270$55046
COVID Safety Officer$50$312$53112
CRAFT SERVICE$42$55$4005
CREW$125$350$8002,461
CREW MEMBER$150$400$7003,074
DATA WRANGLER (DIT)$50$219$600203
DIRECTOR$120$400$800128
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DP)$79$250$98010,382
DRONE OPERATOR$113$451$1,05097
EDITING$93$150$15019
EDITING: EDITOR$120$150$65011
EDITOR$150$150$150225
FIELD PRODUCER$135$475$65020
FOOD STYLIST$150$675$1,07314
FULL DAY ONE MAN VIDEO CAMERA CREW$125$450$1,350297
FULL DAY TWO MAN VIDEO CAMERA CREW$150$550$1,000499
GAFFER$96$350$7001,347
GEAR RENTAL$400$400$400438
GRIP$113$500$600341
HAIR$250$350$50025
HAIR AND MAKEUP$50$500$650917
HALF DAY ONE MAN VIDEO CAMERA CREW$550$900$1,2507
HALF DAY TWO MAN VIDEO CAMERA CREW$150$575$1,01930
JIB OPERATOR$104$475$73826
KEY GRIP$454$650$6638
LIVESTREAMING$350$400$1,0009
LOCATION MANAGER$8$299$62510
LOCATION SCOUT$50$300$65093
LOCATIONS: ASSISTANT$60$75$1759
MAKEUP ARTIST$58$450$600123
MEDIA MANAGEMENT$250$500$6007
MEDIA MANAGER$51$188$500132
PHOTGRAPHY$375$750$1,50011
PRODUCER$200$550$700245
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT$34$200$2502,497
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT (PA) $33$200$25029
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: SET$22$60$2758
PRODUCTION COMPANIES: PRODUCTION SERVICES$133$313$62559
PRODUCTION COMPANIES: VIDEO PRODUCTION$800$1,250$3,9257
PRODUCTION COMPANY$155$400$775135
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR$31$300$40029
PRODUCTION DESIGNER$90$323$60013
PRODUCTION MANAGER$77$500$60015
PROP MASTER$325$525$85010
PROPS RENTAL & SUPPLIES: [GENERAL]$187$200$6257
PROPS: PROPS ASSISTANT$193$375$6638
REHEARSAL STAND-IN$24$42$25011
SET DECORATOR$94$550$81116
SET DRESSER$138$425$61314
SET MEDIC: SET MEDIC$45$80$41319
STAGEHAND$350$400$55049
STEADICAM OPERATOR$177$675$1,25032
STILL PHOTOGRAPHER$138$750$1,1001,361
STUDIO SPACE$250$470$99715
TALENT$175$175$35027
TALENT WRANGLER$250$250$2509
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR$98$300$75057
TELEPROMPTER OPERATOR$89$550$800339
UTILITY$250$350$475309
WARDROBE$75$375$60019
WARDROBE STYLIST$275$600$7507
WARDROBE: STYLIST$400$583$67515

Rates shown are per-day compensation from actual billing records. Low = 25th percentile, High = 75th percentile. Only roles with 5+ data points are shown.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Director of Photography cost per day?
Based on our data from thousands of real assignments, a Director of Photography (DP) typically costs between $500 and $2,500 per day depending on experience, market, and project complexity. The median day rate is around $800-$1,200.
What is a fair day rate for an audio technician?
Audio technicians typically charge between $400 and $1,500 per day. The median rate from our dataset is around $600-$900 per day. Rates vary by city and whether the tech provides their own equipment kit.
Do day rates vary by city?
Yes, significantly. Major markets like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago command higher rates (often 20-40% above the national median) due to higher cost of living and stronger demand. Smaller markets may have lower rates but also less competition for bookings.
What does a day rate typically include?
A standard day rate in video production covers a 10-hour work day. It includes the crew member's labor and basic kit (camera, audio, or lighting depending on the role). Equipment rentals, travel expenses, and overtime are usually billed separately.
How often are these rates updated?
Our rate data is computed from real billing records across 36,000+ crew assignments and is refreshed daily. The data reflects actual paid rates, not estimates or surveys, making it the most accurate rate guide in the industry.

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