Start from what you need, not what others charge
Pick a yearly figure you want to earn before tax. Add your yearly costs: boots, kit, insurance, travel and phone. Event work is seasonal and some weeks have no bookings, so count only the days you realistically expect to work. Divide the total by those days. Example: £18,000 to earn plus £1,200 of costs is £19,200. Spread over 110 working days that is about £175 a day. Use your own numbers.
Remember what a day rate has to cover
A self-employed day rate pays for everything. There is no paid holiday and no sick pay, you pay your own tax and National Insurance, and travel to the site is often unpaid. Set money aside for tax. See tax for self-employed event crew.
Check it against the market
The event crew day rates guide shows typical UK rates by role, from general crew to crew chiefs. If your calculated figure is above the usual range for your role, you can raise it by adding tickets or a skill (the tickets and licences guide lists the ones hirers value) or by taking longer or more skilled jobs.
Agree what a day means
Before you accept, confirm in writing the hours in a day, the start time, who pays for travel and any overnight stay, whether food and crew camping are included, and what happens if the job is cancelled or runs over. A £150 day that is twelve hours plus a two-hour drive is a different rate to a £150 day that is eight.
Quote it plainly
Give one number and the terms. For example: "£150 a day, 8 hours on site, travel paid at 45p a mile, payment within 14 days." On CrewPool you set the rate directly with the hirer and CrewPool takes no cut.
Review it each season
Costs rise and you get better at the job. Look at your rate at the start of each season and after you gain a new ticket. If you get no replies, check your rate against the guide and your profile.
Get started
Looking for work? Join the crew list free. Hiring? Search the list.