The tiers side by side
All figures below are from SAG-AFTRA's 2026 rate sheets, effective July 1, 2026, and the union's production center pages. The P&H figure is the pension and health contribution effective September 6, 2026.
| Ultra Low Budget (UPA) | Moderate Low Budget (MPA) | Low Budget (LBA) | Basic theatrical | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget limit | No more than $300,000 | Under $700,000 | Under $2,000,000 | Above the tiers |
| With incentives | n/a | $950,000 (diversity); +$112,000 (background) | $3,000,000 (diversity) | n/a |
| Rate basis | 20% of Basic | 35% of Basic | 65% of Basic | 100% |
| Day performer | $257 | $449 | $834 | $1,283 |
| Weekly performer | Not allowed | $1,560 | $2,896 | $4,456 |
| Background actors | Not covered | Only under the background incentive | Covered in applicable zones | Covered |
| P&H, performers | 22% | 22% | 22% | per agreement |
Rates go up 3% each July 1 through 2029.
Why the tier matters to the budget
Say a film has 60 performer days, all day players. The cast cost with P&H at 22%:
- UPA: 60 x $257 = $15,420, plus $3,392.40 P&H = $18,812.40
- MPA: 60 x $449 = $26,940, plus $5,926.80 P&H = $32,866.80
- LBA: 60 x $834 = $50,040, plus $11,008.80 P&H = $61,048.80
A budget that creeps from $690,000 to $710,000 without an incentive can move a film from the MPA to the LBA, and in this example that adds $61,048.80 - $32,866.80 = $28,182 to the cast line alone. The cap is measured against the full production budget, including deferred pay.
Applying
Every tier requires signing on as a signatory. SAG-AFTRA asks producers to apply four to six weeks before the first day of work, and it wants the shooting script, day out of days, and a line item budget, plus company formation and chain of title documents. The union decides which agreement fits the project.
Details by tier
Each agreement has its own rules on overtime, sixth days, consecutive employment, and background actors. See the Ultra Low Budget agreement, Moderate Low Budget agreement, and Low Budget agreement entries, and pension and health for how contributions are calculated. Crew unions have their own budget tiers; see understanding tier projects.