Typically $100-$150 per man. We are a 5 piece band with our own sound man so he gets an equal cut.
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What do you typically get paid per gig?
- Thread starter Axtman
- Start date
I'm in a weekend warrior area. $75 / member is typical. A lot of the bands just put the money into a band fund that's used for improving the PA, lighting or whatever. After gas, tolls and taxes we wouldn't be making anything anyways.
Depends on the gig.
“Low End” or “Fun” Gig with friends (ex. house bass player at a jam session or favor for a friend who is paying out of pocket) - $50-100
Typical Bar/Club Gig (ex. 2-3 hour gig at a local jazz or rock club) - $75-150
Lower End Private Gig (ex. hour cocktail jazz trio gig at a wedding) - $175-250
Private Gig (ex. Wedding or Corporate event where the band is the main source of entertainment) - $300-500
Out of town Private Gig (ex. Driving to a town that’s 2-5 hours away to play a wedding or corporate event) - $450-700
“Low End” or “Fun” Gig with friends (ex. house bass player at a jam session or favor for a friend who is paying out of pocket) - $50-100
Typical Bar/Club Gig (ex. 2-3 hour gig at a local jazz or rock club) - $75-150
Lower End Private Gig (ex. hour cocktail jazz trio gig at a wedding) - $175-250
Private Gig (ex. Wedding or Corporate event where the band is the main source of entertainment) - $300-500
Out of town Private Gig (ex. Driving to a town that’s 2-5 hours away to play a wedding or corporate event) - $450-700
That's definitely true for me. We rehearse at our singer/BL's house and she lives 35 miles away so I do a lot of driving just for rehearsals. Plus the rest of us meet there before gigs to pack up the PA in our cars to take to the gig and then pack up our cars after tearing down to drive it back to her house before turning around and driving that distance back home.
I did some quick 'n dirty math recently and realized I'm making just enough to cover the cost of gas. That unfortunately means that there's no money left over to cover the cost of GAS.
I recently found a record of the Frat parties I played at Ohio State in 1970-74.
we got $30 each CASH for a 3 hour gig,$40 each for a 4 hour gig.
we drove there at .30 per gallon.
Here we are 50 years later.
I guess that was pretty good.
Larry
we got $30 each CASH for a 3 hour gig,$40 each for a 4 hour gig.
we drove there at .30 per gallon.
Here we are 50 years later.
I guess that was pretty good.
Larry
It runs the gamut between $100 bar gigs to flying to another country for a private gig with a 4 figure payday.
Typically, bar/restaurant gigs $125 to $175 per player and our sound tech. Corporate/private events $250 and up per player as well.
Most bar/rest type gigs won't pay $100 per player, this also depends on the area. Work the tip jar! it can double your pay. Low pay gets a 3-4pc band higher pay gets a 5pc band. A residency that's close to home on a monthly is what I look for.
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I'm a weekend warrior, mostly a bar-band guy. My usual minimum is $100 (each). I often get $125, even $150.
More than $150 usually only happens for corporate/wedding gigs (rare for me and my bands), or New Year's Eve.
I will go less than $100 on occasion, but I don't like it. This sometimes happens with one of my regular bands that plays all originals: the BL will say "pretty please?", and I'll say yes because I get so many gigs from him, most of which are over $100. Most recent example: I agreed to do an upcoming gig opening for Pat Travers Band. I'll have to travel 100 miles and will only get $50 (ouch), but he really wants the visibility... and asked really nicely. Also, I'd love to hang out afterward and watch Pat Travers because he was one of my faves as a youngster (RIP Peter "Mars" Cowling).
I will also sometimes take less than $100 for a short-notice gig assuming it's convenient: meaning, I don't have to travel far, don't have to do a lot of homework (if it's a sub gig). Short-notice is crucial. Unless it's a favor as noted above, I won't book a $75 gig months in advance, potentially losing out on a better paying one that might come in on that date.
I'm a semi-pro hobbyist, not a pro, so I don't want to sound too mercenary. Fun is crucial, but fun already comes first: I won't play in a band that isn't fun (mostly fun
) for any reason. Also, I don't want to support venues that don't pay bands enough. I'm definitely not one of the best bassists in my area, but I (and my bandmates) deserve at least $100 -- actually much more than that, given that bar band pay rates have been stagnant for decades.... but that's a whole 'nother discussion (sigh).
More than $150 usually only happens for corporate/wedding gigs (rare for me and my bands), or New Year's Eve.
I will go less than $100 on occasion, but I don't like it. This sometimes happens with one of my regular bands that plays all originals: the BL will say "pretty please?", and I'll say yes because I get so many gigs from him, most of which are over $100. Most recent example: I agreed to do an upcoming gig opening for Pat Travers Band. I'll have to travel 100 miles and will only get $50 (ouch), but he really wants the visibility... and asked really nicely. Also, I'd love to hang out afterward and watch Pat Travers because he was one of my faves as a youngster (RIP Peter "Mars" Cowling).
I will also sometimes take less than $100 for a short-notice gig assuming it's convenient: meaning, I don't have to travel far, don't have to do a lot of homework (if it's a sub gig). Short-notice is crucial. Unless it's a favor as noted above, I won't book a $75 gig months in advance, potentially losing out on a better paying one that might come in on that date.
I'm a semi-pro hobbyist, not a pro, so I don't want to sound too mercenary. Fun is crucial, but fun already comes first: I won't play in a band that isn't fun (mostly fun
) for any reason. Also, I don't want to support venues that don't pay bands enough. I'm definitely not one of the best bassists in my area, but I (and my bandmates) deserve at least $100 -- actually much more than that, given that bar band pay rates have been stagnant for decades.... but that's a whole 'nother discussion (sigh).
Typically $60-$125 per man, playing breweries and local restaurants. The best part is a) it's all original (about 30 songs) and b) most gigs are 7-10ish, so I'm home before 11.
(Oh, I play drums for this band, but the bassist gets the same)
The Philly scene is pretty consistent - about $100 - $125 per man for a bar gig doing covers (this is a serious cover town). Only a tad more than when I first started gigging here over 20 years ago, so it's a lot harder to make it work as a full time thing. At least the clubs/bars are getting smart and realizing the older we all get the less we like to stay out late, so fewer gigs are ending at 1:00 or 2:00am.
(Oh, I play drums for this band, but the bassist gets the same)
The Philly scene is pretty consistent - about $100 - $125 per man for a bar gig doing covers (this is a serious cover town). Only a tad more than when I first started gigging here over 20 years ago, so it's a lot harder to make it work as a full time thing. At least the clubs/bars are getting smart and realizing the older we all get the less we like to stay out late, so fewer gigs are ending at 1:00 or 2:00am.
- Nov 12, 2007
- 350
- 140
- Disclosures
- Former Ampeg Regional Touring Artist, Currently Playing Overwater Basses
We normally get $125 per musician + tips and 1 drink per person per set. Hilton Head Island, SC.
We’re a roots rock reggae trio. Only game in town. Usually the band gets $300 per gig for a small (50-100 person venue), for festivals we get $500-600 or more depending , parties $300-400 and for NYE or we get $1,000+. Usually do 3 sets of 45-50 songs total. Don’t usually wanna roll out of driveway for less than $100 a man. At bars we’ll usually get $50-100 extra in tips. Most venues will comp a meal or give something towards a band tab. Could be $20 could be an extra $100. We’ve even had bartenders tip us out if they had a good night because people were drinking to the band. Still Doesn’t come out to a lot of money per hour when you factor in load in, brief soundcheck, playing and load out. Around $10-60 per hour once or twice a month for us weekend warriors. We did play one gig opening for a major touring act this year and got $150 support payment. That was my lowest paying gig but by far the most fun eating catered food and having a cooler full of beverages for the band. Plus leather couches and video games in the green “complex” (green rooms plural). But spent most of my time watching band from behind the monitor desk. Was worth it!
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Im both embarrassed and proud to say I’ve gigged since the early 80’s and can honestly say I got paid more then, dollar for dollar, and much more relative to dollar value. But the MTV came, then endless cable channels, then personal music players, then corporate “rock”, then the internet, then youtube and on and on. Live music in the form of local bands is a pittance of the draw it once was with the commensurate pay. Hell half the time I hand over my pay to other members who need it more, as its so little. In terms of countless hours practicing and thousands upon thousands paid for gear the return is about 0.00001%. However the return in satisfaction and fulfillment is priceless. Your mileage may vary.
