Day Rates, Overtime, and What Goes in the Quote

There's no industry-wide rate card for AV freelancers, and that's both a blessing and a problem. You set your own pricing — but if you set it poorly, you eat the difference. Here's a practical breakdown of what most working freelancers include in a quote.

Day rate

This is the published number. Most people define a day as 10 hours (load-in, show, strike). Some markets are 12. Pick one and stick to it. Common day-rate ranges in 2026 dollars:

Stage hand / utility: $400–$650
Audio A2 / lighting tech: $600–$900
Audio A1 / lighting designer: $800–$1500+
Specialists (broadcast EVS, large-format projection, complex RF): $1200–$2500+

Adjust for your market. NYC and LA are typically 30–40% above national average; Nashville, Vegas, and Atlanta are 10–20% above; smaller markets are at or below baseline.

Overtime

Past your defined day length, OT kicks in at 1.5×. Past 14 hours, double time. Make sure this is in writing — clients who balk at OT are usually the ones whose calls run long.

Kit fees

If you're bringing tools, comms, an iPad, a personal RF rig — that's a separate line item, not "included." Kit fees range from $50/day for basic comms to $300+/day for an RF coordination rig with antennas and a spectrum analyzer.

Travel days

A travel day is half a day rate, minimum. If you're flying day-of and working that night, it's a full day. Hotel, flights, and per diem are billed at cost or at a per diem rate ($75–$100/day is typical).

What gets missed

Pre-pro / programming time (often a half-day rate the day before)
Truss-up / focus calls
Late-night or overnight strike (premium rate after midnight)
Weather days (you're booked, you bill)
Kill fees (50% if cancelled within 7 days, 100% within 48 hours)

The contract