How are actors paid?

For example, on a film with a budget of at least $2 million, under the SAG-AFTRA theatrical contract, the minimum day rate is currently $1,056 per day. If your role requires at least five days of work, then the rate is $3,664 for the week. Background actors make $182 a day, and stand-ins make $214 a day.

As a lead or supporting player, your role likely extends the length of the entire shoot, and you're making a minimum of $65,000 (the run-of-the-picture rate). Generally, the smaller the role and the earlier you are in your career, the smaller the paycheck.

For example, Brad Pitt made just $6,000 in the 1991 film "Thelma Louise," his first major role. Fast forward to 2019, Pitt was paid $10 million for "Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood." The lesson: There's no shame in starting small.

An actor's pay on a television show depends on how many episodes they are contracted for. TV shows usually take one to two weeks to film one episode. The rate is $1,056 minimum for a day performer and $3,664 minimum for a weekly performer.

If you have a major speaking role, then your rate is $5,808 for a half-hour program and $9,293 for a one-hour program. General background actors are paid $182 per day, and stand-ins $214 per day.

If you are a "term performer," as in someone who is needed all season, your rate is a minimum of $3,146 per week for ten to 19 weeks and $2,618 a week for anything over 20 weeks. Wages vary depending on what agents are able to negotiate and the actor's influence on the show.

For example, the cast of "The Big Bang Theory" were mostly unknown when they started out on the long-running CBS comedy. As their characters became more beloved, the cast became integral to the show's success, and their salaries adjusted accordingly.

Jim Parsons made a total of $60,000 for Season one of "The Big Bang Theory." By Season 12, he was making $1 million per episode.