Red Shirt Salary

[nonbelligerency]

I've always wondered what a red shirt made.

You see many episodes with a redshirt securityman or yeoman who may stand around with a phaser or a clipboard, never to be seen again. I know many on this board have historical info regarding the on the set days back in the 60s... does anyone know what an actor or actress made for just a day or two of filming? And maybe what that would translate into today's dollars?

-Tom

 

[Botany Bay]

Great question.

I can't tell you what a non-speaking extra would make, but we can use Nichelle Nichols' first season rate of $140 per day to get a feel for what a minor speaking part might have earned. She didn't have a contract, but was employed on a handshake deal whereby she'd be featured as often as possible.

Today this would be the equivalent of $1,023 per day. Not bad at all!

 

[F. King Daniel]

LOL, I was wondering how much the poor schmucks make in-universe. I vaguely remember a FASA manual detailing Starfleet salaries...

 

[AtoZ]

It would be interesting to know what a non-speaking part would garner an extra. There were several familiar faces show after show. If anybody would know it would be the all-purpose Eddie Paskey. The money had to be good, especially in his case.

 

[f14peter]

I've always wondered what a red shirt made.

As enlisted or ensigns, I believe they get a smidge over Federation minimum-wage, can cash out some vacation, a decent benefits package and a tidy retirement, along with a uniform allowance and their three squares.

Let's not forget they also have longevity-based pay increases after specified lengths of service ... although no red shirt in collective memory ever received one

 

[tafkats]

Great question.

I can't tell you what a non-speaking extra would make, but we can use Nichelle Nichols' first season rate of $140 per day to get a feel for what a minor speaking part might have earned. She didn't have a contract, but was employed on a handshake deal whereby she'd be featured as often as possible.

Today this would be the equivalent of $1,023 per day. Not bad at all!

Though when you consider the cost of living in Los Angeles, the fact that an actor's day might run 12 hours or more, and the fact that you might never know from one week to the next when you're working next, it's not all that great either.

 

[drt]

It's probably more "good" than great, I bet she only only worked a day or two each week, for what, maybe eight months out of the year?