A SAG-AFTRA franchised talent agent can take no more than 10% commission, and on a lot of union film and TV work that 10% is negotiated on top of scale rather than taken out of it. Managers generally take 10 to 15%, non-union commercial agents often 20%, and no legitimate agent charges a fee up front. Here are the union’s rules as of November 2026, plus 29 answers from our library.
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As of November 2026, SAG-AFTRA says no franchised agent may charge more than 10%, and an agent is only paid when and if you are. Kym Jackson's answer for Hollywood theatrical agents is the same: 10%, across the board. Managers aren't covered by the union's cap; its page for parents says they generally charge 10 to 15%.
| Who | Typical commission | Source |
|---|---|---|
| SAG-AFTRA franchised agent (film, TV, commercials) | No more than 10% | SAG-AFTRA |
| Non-union commercial agent | Often 20% | Kym Jackson, Shaan Sharma |
| Manager | Generally 10 to 15% | SAG-AFTRA (parents’ page) |
| Developmental manager | 15%, never more | Kym Jackson |
| Agent for a child actor | Same as adults, generally 10% | SAG-AFTRA, Karen Workman |
Managers have their own page: see how to get an acting manager. Kym's short version is that 15% is fair for a developmental manager if a clause drops it to 10% once you've earned a set amount, and 20% is a no.
On a lot of union work, it's added on top. SAG-AFTRA's Los Angeles commission bulletin says that for theatrical, TV and streaming work an agent must negotiate above scale, generally scale plus 10, to commission your session fee, and "That +10 serves as a cap". If you're paid above scale, the agent may take 10% of the gross instead, as long as it doesn't cut into your scale pay. Commercials can be commissioned at scale in the worst case.
Shaan Sharma's example: on a $1,000 union rate, the extra $100 is paid on top for the agent and you keep the full $1,000. Kym adds a warning: when your agent negotiates that extra 10%, you don't owe commission on the bump itself. On $100 plus a $10 bump, your income is $100.
Not everything on your pay slip. As of November 2026, SAG-AFTRA's What's Commissionable page lists these:
Residuals are their own question. The union points to its 16(g) and 12-C agency commission charts, and its LA bulletin says whether a residual is commissionable depends on the market where the show was signed. Shaan Sharma's rule: know which of your residuals are commissionable, and never hide any from your team. A new agent has no claim on residuals from jobs you did before you signed, Kym says.
Usually, within their territory. SAG-AFTRA says an exclusive agency contract "generally means that all work obtained while the contract is in effect is subject to commission". Kym and manager Chris Roe both say to put self-booked jobs through your reps anyway: they negotiate the deal and protect you, and they've worked unpaid on every audition you didn't book.
Agents are territorial, though. Shaan says an agent only commissions work in their own market, so an Atlanta booking goes to your Atlanta agent, not your LA one. A manager usually commissions everything, everywhere. Work you book back home in another country is a grey area, Chris Roe says, so settle it in writing before it happens.
Add it up before you sign. An agent at 10% and a manager at 10% is 20% of each commissionable booking; with a developmental manager at 15%, it's 25%. Darren Darnborough says actors with an agent at home as well as a US agent and manager might agree to split 21% three ways, at 7% each, though everything is negotiable.
Union work dues come on top; see SAG-AFTRA dues.
This is where the numbers change. Kym says 20% is the industry standard for commercial agents on non-union work, because the pay cheques are small and the auditions many. Shaan's caution is that on non-union jobs the 20% usually comes out of your pay rather than on top, and some agencies also take a fee from the client, so ask how your agency is paid on each job.
Worth knowing: SAG-AFTRA's LA bulletin says franchised agents' 10% limit applies to union and non-union work in areas the union covers, such as primetime TV, theatrical film and subscription streaming. If a franchised agent asks for more on that kind of job, ask the union.
Often the money goes to your agent first. According to SAG-AFTRA, agents must pass your pay cheques on within three, five or seven days depending on the type of job, and when you're paid directly you must pay your agent's commission within a reasonable time, which the union's agency regulations interpret as ten business days. Shaan says many commercial agencies receive the payment, deduct commission and forward the rest with a line-by-line breakdown.
If you pay by cheque yourself, Kym suggests dropping it off in person: nobody minds a visit from someone bringing money. Whether commission is tax deductible depends on your situation, so ask a tax professional.
No. SAG-AFTRA says "Agents may not charge up-front fees of any kind", and its LA bulletin says franchised agents may collect no miscellaneous fees or extra commissions from you or employers. In California, Labor Code 1700.40 bars talent agencies from collecting a registration fee (dir.ca.gov). Kym's advice if anyone asks for a fee to sign: don't, and report it. Our guide to checking an agency is legit has more.
Sometimes. SAG-AFTRA warns that if you end a contract without the right to, and the agent says in writing it's still ready to represent you, it may keep collecting commission until the term ends. Kym adds that you owe commission on residuals from jobs a rep got you during the contract. Read how to leave your agent before you move. This is general information; check your own contract with the union or a lawyer.
SAG-AFTRA says a franchised agent can charge no more than 10% commission. Managers are not covered by that cap and generally charge 10 to 15%.
Often not on union work. SAG-AFTRA’s Los Angeles bulletin says agents must negotiate above scale, generally scale plus 10, to commission theatrical, TV and streaming session work, so the 10% is paid on top.
No. SAG-AFTRA lists per diem, travel and meal allowances, wardrobe allowances and reimbursements as not commissionable.
On non-union commercials, Kym Jackson says 20% is the industry standard because the pay cheques are small and each booking takes many auditions. Union work is capped at 10% for franchised agents.
Usually yes, within their territory. SAG-AFTRA says an exclusive contract generally makes all work during the contract commissionable, and Kym Jackson and Chris Roe both say to put self-booked jobs through your reps.
No. SAG-AFTRA says agents may not charge up-front fees of any kind, and California law bars talent agencies from collecting registration fees.
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All rates current from sagaftra.org, sagaftra.org (Los Angeles bulletin), sagaftra.org (What’s Commissionable) and dir.ca.gov as of 9 November 2026.