Rates of Pay




This page is designed to help artists and their employers to determine fair pay for artists’ labour.

AUE objects to fee-based 'opportunities' and the normalisation of this practice within the arts sector. Fee-based opportunities further disadvantage freelance and precarious workers and exacerbate inequality.



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Daily and Hourly Rates for Artist Wages UK:


£194.93 a day


£24.66 an hour
new graduate artist

 

£255.85 a day


£31.98 an hour
3 yrs + experience

 

£316.82 a day


£38.01 an hour
5+ years experience

 

£348.66 a day


£41.82 an hour
lead artist/project manager




About these rates


These rates of pay apply to freelance & short contract employment for artists working within the field of visual art.

Rates apply to, for example, consultancy work, project planning and development, exhibition fees, workshop delivery etc.

Rates do not include equipment rental costs, travel costs, publication costs, insurance or shipping, or any other costs.

Rates do not include tax or NI contributions. Self-employed people should set aside 25% of earnings for this.

Rates may not apply to, for example, front of house work, technician work or documentation.

Artists working in education should contact their employee union - you are teachers and should be paid accordingly.

Rates are for guidance purposes. Artists are free at all times to negotiate different rates of pay to those set out above.


Rates Adjusted for Practices & Services



graduate

£194.93 a day  

£107.21 per ½ day
 3+ years

£255.85 a day  

£140.72 per ½ day
 5+ years

£316.76 a day  

£174.22 per ½ day

graduate

£194.93 a day  

£107.21 per ½ day
 3+ years

£255.85 a day  

£140.72 per ½ day
 5+ years

£316.76 a day  

£174.22 per ½ day

graduate

£173.49 a day  

£95.42 per ½ day
 3+ years

£227.70 a day  

£125.23 per ½ day
 5+ years

£281.91 a day  

£155.05 per ½ day

graduate

£154.00 a day  

£84.70 per ½ day
 3+ years

£202.12 a day  

£111.16 per ½ day
 5+ years

£250.24 a day  

£137.64 per ½ day

graduate

£26,925.03

a year pro rata 
 3+ years

£31,935.32

a year pro rata 
 5+ years

£39,545.63

a year pro rata 

£56.52 min flat fee 

 fees may be negotiated 

graduate

£194.93 a day  

£107.21 per ½ day
 3+ years

£255.85 a day  

£140.72 per ½ day
 5+ years

£316.76 a day  

£174.22 per ½ day




Further Reading


Artists’ Union England is an active union and is constantly campaigning, producing resources and signposting opportunites for its members:

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Membership Benefits

A membership to Artists’ Union England gets you professional support and access to resources. That means you’ll get:

  • Public and Products Liability (PPL) insurance
  • 30 minutes FREE legal advice
  • Access to resources about artists’ issues
  • FREE training and study opportunities
  • Tax guidance

Your membership means help will be there when you need it and we’ll constantly campaign for artist’s rights.


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Artists’ Union England supports freelance artists based in England. in England.


Membership costs £42 annually – equivalent to £3.50 per month