# Weekly rate

Source: https://storiara.com/glossary/weekly-rate
Last updated: 2026-09-14
Author: Charles Hirschhorn, Storiara

> A weekly rate is compensation for a full workweek, typically five days with a guaranteed number of hours for crew, or a five-day studio week for SAG-AFTRA weekly performers. Partial weeks are usually prorated at one-fifth of the weekly rate per day, and a weekly rate becomes cheaper than a day rate once someone works enough days in the week.

## Day or week: the break-even

The [day out of days](https://storiara.com/glossary/day-out-of-days) tells you how many days each actor works in each week, and that decides the contract type. Using the SAG-AFTRA rates effective July 1, 2026:

| Agreement | Day rate | 3 days | 4 days | Weekly rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic theatrical | $1,283 | $3,849 | $5,132 | $4,456 |
| Low Budget | $834 | $2,502 | $3,336 | $2,896 |
| Moderate Low Budget | $449 | $1,347 | $1,796 | $1,560 |

On all three, three days at the day rate is cheaper than a week, and four days is more expensive. An actor working Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday on the Low Budget agreement costs $3,336 by the day or $2,896 by the week, a $440 difference before pension and health.

## The fine print on weeks

The SAG-AFTRA rate sheets state that weekly rates apply to a five-day studio week. On a six-day overnight location week, the performer automatically gets an additional four hours of overtime at straight time, and all overtime is computed on the five-day rate. Under the Moderate Low Budget agreement, weekly performers are employed in units of at least one full week, with extra days in a final partial week prorated at one-fifth of the weekly rate. So a weekly performer who works a week and two days on the MPA costs $1,560 + (2 x $1,560 / 5) = $1,560 + $624 = $2,184.

## Crew weekly rates

Crew weekly deals should name the days and the guaranteed hours: "$2,400/week, 5 days x 10 hours." Divide the same way as a [day rate](https://storiara.com/glossary/day-rate) to find the hourly base, and pay any [sixth day](https://storiara.com/glossary/sixth-day) and hours past the guarantee as extra. Budgets for department heads typically carry separate prep, shoot, and wrap weeks at the same weekly rate, and partial weeks at one-fifth per day.

## Weekly contract traps

Booking a weekly performer when the schedule changes and they only work two days that week (you still owe the week), putting an actor on weekly and then dropping them for a gap long enough to trigger consecutive employment rules, and budgeting crew weekly rates without guaranteed hours. A [DOOD generator](https://storiara.com/tools/dood-generator) helps spot the four-day weeks before contracts go out.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the SAG-AFTRA weekly rate?

The theatrical Basic Agreement weekly performer minimum is $4,456 from July 1, 2026. The Low Budget agreement weekly rate is $2,896 and the Moderate Low Budget rate is $1,560. The Ultra Low Budget agreement only allows day performers.

### When should an actor be hired weekly instead of daily?

When they'll work enough days in a week that daily pay would cost more. On the 2026 SAG-AFTRA theatrical and low budget scales, four days at the day rate costs more than the weekly rate, so four or more work days in a week usually means a weekly contract.

### Does a weekly rate include overtime?

Not automatically. SAG-AFTRA weekly rates cover a five-day studio week, and overtime is computed on that rate. Crew weekly rates should state guaranteed hours, and hours past the guarantee are paid as overtime.

## Sources

- [SAG-AFTRA Theatrical Wage Table, 07/01/25 through 06/30/30](https://www.sagaftra.org/sites/default/files/2026%20Theatrical%20Wage%20Table.pdf)
- [SAG-AFTRA 2026 Low Budget Theatrical Agreement Rate Sheet](https://www.sagaftra.org/sites/default/files/LBA%20Rate%20Sheet%2026-30.pdf)
- [SAG-AFTRA 2026 Moderate Low Budget Project Agreement Rate Sheet](https://www.sagaftra.org/sites/default/files/MPA%20Rate%20Sheet%2026-30.pdf)