What Is the SAG-AFTRA Pay Scale for a National Commercial?
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or SAG-AFTRA, pay scale for a national commercial consists of different rates, as of 2015: for the first use during a 13-week Class A campaign, the principal performer is paid $627.25; the second use fee drops to $143.95; the third through the 13th use is lowered further to $114.20; and any subsequent uses after that pay a rate of $54.75, according to SAG-AFTRA. A Class A commercial is defined as appearing in over 21 cities on interconnected networks, or being sponsored by a specific business or organization.
SAG-AFTRA set standard rates for performers effective between 2013 and 2016. After a 96 percent vote in favor of the new agreements with the advertising industry, the rates were drafted and are valid from April 1, 2013 to June 30, 2016, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The rates for group performances on camera are listed in the current rates and are slightly lower than the individual Class A payments. Fees for commercials made specifically for the Internet in 1-year or 8-week rotations are also laid out, as stated by SAG-AFTRA.
To become a member of SAG-AFTRA, an actor needs to have 1 day of principal work or 3 days of background work to be eligible. After meeting the requirements, actors have a 60 day grace period where they can work on union projects. After that time has passed, applicants must pay a $3,000 initiation fee to keep working with SAG-AFTRA, as noted by Backstage.
