A gig pay estimator helps bands calculate per-member take-home from venue performances. Factor in venue guarantees, door deal income, and shared expenses to see what each musician actually earns — accounting for transport, lodging, and equipment costs.
Income
Fixed amount the venue pays regardless of attendance
Expenses & Split
Fill in gig details and click Calculate
How to Use the Gig Pay Estimator
This gig pay estimator calculates per-member take-home from a venue performance by factoring in all income sources and shared expenses. Use it to evaluate whether a gig is financially worthwhile or to negotiate fairer deals.
Guarantee vs. Door Deal
A guarantee is guaranteed income regardless of ticket sales. A door deal is a percentage of the door revenue. Some venues offer a choice or hybrid. Door deals are risky for unknown bands but lucrative once you have a draw. As a rule, negotiate the guarantee up rather than accepting a high-percentage door deal if you have no proven draw at that venue.
Hidden Costs to Include
Always include gas/mileage ($0.67/mile IRS rate for 2025), parking, tolls, any equipment rental, and lodging if the gig is far from home. A $300 guarantee can become $150 net per band after expenses — then divide by 4 members for $37.50 each for 6+ hours of work including load-in and load-out.
Breaking Even on Gigs
A useful benchmark is minimum wage for the total hours worked (load-in through load-out, plus travel). If per-member hourly rate falls well below $15/hr, evaluate whether the non-financial value (exposure, recording, fun) justifies the time investment. Sometimes it does — being strategic about which gigs you take is important for sustainable music careers.
FAQ
Is this gig pay estimator free?
Yes, completely free. Calculate per-member earnings for any gig scenario without any account or payment.
Is my data private?
All calculations run in your browser. No data is sent to any server.
What is a venue guarantee?
A venue guarantee is a fixed amount the venue promises to pay the band regardless of ticket sales. It's the minimum income floor. Some deals offer a guarantee vs. percentage of door (whichever is higher), or guarantee plus a percentage above a certain attendance threshold.
What is a door deal?
A door deal means the band earns a percentage of ticket revenue at the door (typically 70-90% after the venue takes its cut). It can pay much more than a guarantee if the show sells well, but provides no income floor if attendance is low.
What expenses should I include in my gig calculation?
Common expenses: gas/mileage to the venue, parking, hotel if overnight travel, van rental or truck rental, equipment transport costs, sound engineer fees if not included, merchandise printing. Subtract these from gross pay to get actual take-home.
How do bands typically split gig pay?
Most bands split equally between members. Some models give the leader a larger share (e.g., 1.5x or 2x). Side musicians hired for a show are often paid a flat session rate ($100–$300 typical) before the core band members split the remainder.
What is a typical small-venue gig pay?
Small local venues (100–200 capacity) typically offer $0–$300 guarantees or door deals. Mid-size regional venues (500–1000 capacity) offer $500–$3,000. Opening slots for national acts can pay $500–$2,000. Headlining mid-size venues pays $2,000–$10,000+.