Messages

1

Employment / Re: Current Pay Rates?

« on: Jun 20, 2015, 06:16 pm »

There is a lot of variety.  I don't know many private companies that would be willing to pay the State Dept rates abroad, they are ridiculously high.  These are set by the gov't for gov't contractors, and you and I foot the bill.  There is no real budgetary constraint.  Nice work if you can get it. 

I can tell you with certainty as someone who deals with budgets and projects on a daily basis that very few project or show budgets would support a State Dept per diem rate, especially in a non-profit setting.  I work at a decidedly for-profit company, and I would laugh someone out of the room if they wanted $120+/day for meals.

The GSA rates are pretty close, though leaning a bit on the high side.  These are purely my opinions, as well.

How much does the local cost of living influence what is considered a reasonable per diem rate? 

Looking at the GSA website (and the DoD site, for Alaska and Hawaii), there's a pretty wide range.  I live in the DC area, which is listed as a $71/day (meals and incidentals), as are the other high cost of living cities in the continental US -- although Anchorage is listed as $102/day and Honolulu as $117/day (and that's not even the highest rates, other parts of Hawaii are even higher).  But a lower cost of living city, like Omaha or Kansas City, is around $61/day.
Post Merge: Jun 20, 2015, 06:20 pm

As a business, you need to set you the rate you need to do the work . . . yes, you need to investigate the market and see what the market will bare and support.

I usually for one off gigs, do something like
$1,500 a week - $3,000 a week
$300 a day - $750 a day
$40 an hour - $90 an hour

How do you determine where in your range to quote for any particular gig?  (Other than whether the hiring company is a nonprofit or not.)

2

Employment / Re: Current Pay Rates?

« on: Jun 19, 2015, 01:38 am »

Thank you all!  This is extremely helpful info.

I was a little surprised about being asked for a per diem rate, too.  I've always assumed that was a pretty set-in-stone thing.  But, apparently, this company works a little differently.

Do most companies use the GSA/DOD rates, or is there a lot of variety?

This company is a nonprofit, which also makes it a little tricky.  I don't want to be greedy, ya know?  But I also don't want to be undervalued.  And I have absolutely no idea what their current financial situation is now.  When I worked for them a couple of years ago, they were on a very tight budget, and I really wanted to travel to their location, so I was willing to work with them.  But I think they're in better financial shape now.

Getting a sense of the current range is so helpful!  It looks like I was about to undersell myself.  And, given the complexity of this show (ginormous set, a gazillion props, large cast, so many costumes, flying, etc.), I really don't want to undersell.

I hate the "start high and negotiate down" thing, but that seems to be what everyone assumes, so I feel like I need to be very sure I'm not actually starting *low*.

Thank you for the help!!!  I really appreciate it!

~ Aster

3

Introductions / Re: Just Joined...

« on: Jun 19, 2015, 01:18 am »

Thanks, everyone!

Now I'm sad that I didn't join this forum ages ago. 

4

Employment / Re: Current Pay Rates?

« on: Jun 18, 2015, 01:53 am »

I think this is probably too broad a question.... There's a wide variety of SMs on this board, working at different levels of theatre. Here's a previous thread about salaries- there's quite an array of answers. Are you looking at a gig that would have a day rate, or a weekly rate? Is it a tour, or a local gig?

Thank you for responding.

I'm being asked for an hourly rate and a per diem rate for a gig that will last about 2 weeks.  The major perk is that it's in a place that is a major vacation location.  My compensation package will include round trip air fare, rental car, and hotel (probably a very nice one in a fantastic location).  The downside is an extroardinarily high cost of living.

I don't generally use a daily rate.  It's been a long time since I've had anything other than an annual salary, with other things beside money factored into the package -- which I realize is very unusual for SMs, but I've been lucky that way.

So I'm really just trying to get a sense of the range that's currently out there, basically as a place to start these negotiations.

5

Introductions / Re: Just Joined...

« on: Jun 17, 2015, 11:37 pm »

I like this one. 

Thank you!  That's one of the nicest things I've read all week.   

6

Employment / Current Pay Rates?

« on: Jun 17, 2015, 09:49 pm »

(I did a search on "pay rate" and "salary", but got no results more recent than a year old, so...)

I'm in the process of negotiating a short term contract with a ballet company, and would like to get a better idea of the current average rate for professional SMs.  Can anyone advise?

Thanks!

~ Aster

7

Introductions / Just Joined...

« on: Jun 17, 2015, 09:45 pm »

...but NOT putting "Hi" in my subject line.  Because I read directions.   

Hi.

I'm a professional SM with about 30 years of experience.  I'm currently working primarily in dance, mostly in the Washington, DC area.  I find that I need other SMs to talk to about certain issues I'm encountering, and this seemed like a good place to do that.

I'm looking forward to getting to know some of you, learning from you, and -- I hope -- contributing to the community.

~ Aster