On June 4, 2026, SAG-AFTRA members approved the 2026 TV/Theatrical Agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). We’ve highlighted some of the contract changes that will impact low-budget projects below, but you can visit the SAG-AFTRA Production Center for full information on all SAG-AFTRA agreements.
Contact us if you have questions, or reach out to SAG-AFTRA’s Entertainment Contracts Department at entcontractsinfo@sagaftra.org or 323.549.6828.
New Minimum Rates
Minimum rates will increase by 3%, beginning on July 1, 2026, and will continue with an additional 3% annual increase until June 30, 2030.
Minimum rates beginning 7/1/26:
- Ultra Low Budget Daily Rate: $257
- Moderate Low Budget Daily Rate: $449
- Moderate Low Budget Weekly Rate: $1,560
- Low Budget Daily Rate: $834
- Low Budget Weekly Rate: $2,896
- Background Actor Daily Rate: $231
Minimum rates beginning 7/1/27:
- Ultra Low Budget Daily Rate: $264
- Moderate Low Budget Daily Rate: $462
- Moderate Low Budget Weekly Rate: $1,607
- Low Budget Daily Rate: $859
- Low Budget Weekly Rate: $2,984
- Background Actor Daily Rate: $238
Minimum rates beginning 7/1/28:
- Ultra Low Budget Daily Rate: $272
- Moderate Low Budget Daily Rate: $476
- Moderate Low Budget Weekly Rate: $1,655
- Low Budget Daily Rate: $885
- Low Budget Weekly Rate: $3,073
- Background Actor Daily Rate: $245
Minimum rates beginning 7/1/29:
- Ultra Low Budget Daily Rate: $280
- Moderate Low Budget Daily Rate: $491
- Moderate Low Budget Weekly Rate: $1,705
- Low Budget Daily Rate: $911
- Low Budget Weekly Rate: $3,166
- Background Actor Daily Rate: $252
Pension & Health Updates
The P&H contribution rate will increase by 1% on September 6, 2026.
Pension & Health rate starting 9/6/26: 22% (principal performers); 21.5% (background performers)
Casting Updates
Casting notices may not charge performers a fee to submit their headshot or reel.
Producers may only use recordings of interviews, auditions, or self-tapes for casting purposes, and may not make any recordings public without the written consent of the performer (obtained at the time of use).
Disability Accommodations
Producers will provide performers and background actors with written information for requesting disability accommodations.
Intimacy Coordinator Updates
Any time a producer has engaged an Intimacy Coordinator for principal performers, background actors may also request access to the Intimacy Coordinator.
Meals/Per Diem Updates
Walkaway Meals: If production does not intend to provide food (i.e., it will be a walkaway meal), the producer will notify principal performers and background actors the night prior to their scheduled day of work.
Meal Penalties: Creates an additional tier of meal penalty for the fifth and subsequent half-hour violation at $75 per half-hour or portion thereof for principal performers; and $15 per half-hour or portion thereof for background performers.
New Per Diem Rates: Starting July 1, 2028, the per diem rate increases to $80, breaking down to:
- Breakfast: $17
- Lunch: $24
- Dinner: $39
Wardrobe Updates
Starting July 1, 2027, cleaning allowances increase to $30 for formal wear and $14 for all other wardrobe.
Artificial Intelligence Updates
See a full breakdown of current AI protections at sagaftra.org/ai.
Additional Info
For a full explanation of all contract changes, read the 2026 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) here.
See a step-by-step guide on how to complete the SAG-AFTRA signatory process at sagindie.org/signatory and find sample contracts over on our Resources page.
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