Rehearsal scale set separately; use a rehearsal WS above for mixed calls.
A
Regular Sidemusicians (scale only)
Standard side musicians receiving straight Base Scale. No leader fee, no doubling premiums in this row.
+20% over base scale (per most WS classifications when 12+ musicians employed).
B
Leader & Contractor
Leader Scale (All Other engagements):
1–12 musicians: 150% of Base Scale | 13–30: 200% | 31–60: 250% | 60+: 250% Classical & Youth (WS#105, 106, 107, 113):
1–12: 150% | 13–30: 300% | 31–60: 400% | 60+: 500% Contractor (non-playing): Additional % of Base Scale on top of any playing scale.
All Other: 1–12: 150% | 13–30: 150% | 31–60: 200% | 60+: 200%
Classical & Youth: 1–12: 200% | 13–30: 200% | 31–60: 300% | 60+: 400%
Role
# People
Scale % of Base
Leader (playing)
Contractor (non-playing)
Note: On engagements of 13+ musicians a separate non-playing Contractor is required. Theater WS#114-A–D: non-playing Contractor = 200% of Base Scale; Conductor = 200% of Base Scale.
C
Doubling Musicians
Doubling Rules (Section 9): When a score requires a second/additional instrument it is a double. First double: +25% of Base Scale. Each additional double: +10% of Base Scale. Electronic Musical Devices (synthesizers, samplers, MIDI): +50% of Base Scale. Two simultaneous instruments (e.g. piano + synth): +100%. Note: doubling does not apply to WS#102, 103, 112, 116, or parades.
Double Type
# Musicians
Premium
1st double (+25% base scale)
+25%
Each additional double (+10% each)
For "each additional double" row: enter how many musicians, then how many extra doubles per musician (e.g. 2 musicians each playing 2 additional instruments = 2 musicians, 2 doubles).
Electronic Musical Device (EMD) (+50%)
+50%
Two simultaneous instruments (+100%)
+100%
D
Cartage
Official Cartage Rates (2024): Paid per service at current rates. For musician-transported instruments. Rates shown below are per the published schedule. Cartage is not pensionable. For WS#101 rehearsals, cartage applies only if on a different day/location from performance. Not applicable for WS#116 (Lounges/Nightclubs).
$26 — Bass Trombone (smaller) / all other qualifying instruments not in higher tiers
$26 tier instruments
Cartage is paid per service including both performances and rehearsals (unless rehearsal is same day/location as performance). Not included in pensionable wages or subject to work dues.
Recording Session Details
H&W drops to $22/musician for each additional session on same day.
Film / TV Session Details
Commercial / Jingle Details
Jingle rates vary widely; ~$250–$350 per 3-hour session.
Benefits & Deductions
11.99%–14.09% typical. Paid by employer on top of scale.
3.5% of gross scale, withheld from musician.
$22–$30 depending on agreement. Paid by employer.
💰 Cost Summary
TOTAL EMPLOYER COST$0
📋 Musician Take-Home
Note: Employer cost includes scale wages + pension + H&W. Work dues are withheld from musician pay. Always file an AFM contract. Pension due within 10 business days of service.
Preparation Role
Orchestrator
Assigns voices to completed composition
Copyist
Extracts/reproduces parts from score
Editor
Cuts, repeats, alters sequence — $53/hr
Librarian
Non-playing: $130 / 3hr min
Orchestration — Page Rates
Page rate basis: 4-bar pages. Each additional staff line beyond 10: +$2.10/line. Minimum compensation: 3 hrs at applicable time rate ($53/hr). In situations where page rates are impractical (takedowns, transcriptions, adjustments): $53/hr time rate. Supervising Orchestrator receives an additional +25% of total orchestration done under their supervision.
Type
Pages
$/Page
Orchestration (10 lines or fewer)
Extra lines per page (× pages above)
$2.10/line
Vocal Scoring (4 voices or fewer)
Sketching — by Orchestrator
Sketching — by Rehearsal Pianist
Sketching — by Rehearsal Drummer
Copying — Page Rates
Rate basis: 10-staff paper, 4 bars/staff average. Minimum: 3 hrs at $42/hr. First page always full page. Single copy = not for duplication. Master copy = made for mechanical/electronic duplication (2× rate). Transposing: 150% of applicable rate. Soloist performance parts: double rate. Copying from sketch (3+ lines per staff): 150%. Special routine (from multiple sources): 150%. Supervising Copyist receives +25% of total copying supervised.
Part Type
Pages
Single $
Master $
Single-Staff Parts
Single line
Single line, transposed
Divisi or chorded
Divisi/chorded, transposed
Single line cued (symphonic)
Multi-Staff Parts (Harp, Organ, Piano, Guitar, etc.)
Multi-staved part
+ Melody (vocal) cue
Conductor Parts (per page, pro-rated)
8 staves
(+$3.75 w/ lyric)
10 staves
(+$5.20 w/ lyric)
12 staves
(+$5.25 w/ lyric)
Editor / Proofreader / Librarian — Time Rates
Editor: $53/hr, 3hr minimum. Alteration through cuts, repeats, sequence changes. Proofreader: $53/hr, no minimum call. Visual review of completed score/parts. Non-playing Librarian: $130 flat for 3hr min; $53/hr overtime. Playing Librarian: Librarian time rate plus applicable sidemusician scale.
$53/hr · 3hr minimum
$53/hr · no minimum
$130 per 3hr call
$53/hr after min call
Premium Time
150% of rate: Mon–Fri, 6 PM–12 AM. 200% of rate: Sat 6 PM–12 AM; Mon–Sat 12:01 AM–9 AM; any time Sunday; or on federal holidays (New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas). 150% of rate: After 8 hrs in any day, or after 40 hrs in any week.
Premium applies until dismissal and until 8-hour break before next call.
% of total work hours at 1.5×
% of total work hours at 2×
Benefits (Music Prep)
Employers contribute 12.1% of scale wages to AFM-EPF Pension, and 13.2% of scale wages to Local 47 H&W Fund, on behalf of each Preparer.
📄 Music Prep Cost
Enter pages or hours above.
TOTAL EMPLOYER COST$0
💵 Preparer Net
—
Note: Arranger scale is set individually by each arranger but cannot be less than the Orchestrator page rates for the same product. Always file contracts on AFM-approved invoice forms with Local 47 within two weeks of completing work. Minimum compensation for any prep work (except proofreading) is 3 hours at applicable time rate.