Accompanist Rates

Minimum rates of pay per musician working as an accompanist, April 2025.

Rehearsal pianists

2 hours minimum call: £108.20

Audition accompanists

3 hours minimum call: £162.30

Dance class accompanists and ballet school

Minimum call 1½ hours: £81.15

Exam accompanists

Minimum calls

Grade	Preparation time (minutes)	Exam Time (minutes)	Fee
1-5	30	30	£54.10
6-7	45	45	£81.15
8	60	60	£108.20

Weekly rate (max 30 hours): £1,211.70

Overtime

Hourly rate of £54.10 payable at time and a half, therefore £81.15 per hour (or part thereof). Sundays or Bank Holidays to be paid at double time.

Distance fees and travel expenses

• Distance fees: £13.23 per hour pro rata. Check travel time and mileage.
• Fuel fees: 56p per mile. Refer to HMRC travel rates.
• Congestion, toll changes, parking, all to be paid by the engager

Porterage

• Group A - £39.85 – Electric Guitar (inc’ Amp); Bass Guitar (inc’ Amp); Double Bass.
• Group B - £34.50 – Bass Sax, Tuba.
• Group C - £27.40 – Contra Bassoon; Baritone Sax; French Horn + 1 other brass instrument; Trombone + 1 other brass instrument or bag of mutes: Two Saxes; Cello; Bass Clarinet: Pedalboards.
• Group D – subject to individual negotiation – Drum Kit; Percussion; Harps: Keyboards: P.A.

Doubling/Trebling/Quadrupling

15% of fee for each additional instrument

Breaks 

Minimum of 15 mins per 2 hours playing

Late fees

Payable when time of return is between midnight and 2:00 am: £36.00

Overnight stay

Payable when return would be after 2:00 am: £141.00

Subsistence

Payable per day to cover meals and expenses: £63.00

Guidance notes

The MU’s live rates are based on an hourly rate which a self-employed musician needs to charge in order to earn an income, relative to their training, experience and expertise. Individual negotiations can be made based on these minimum rates.

• If you’re self-employed, you do not have a contract of employment with an employer. You’re more likely to be contracted to provide services over a certain period of time for a fee and be in business in your own right.
• You’ll also pay your own tax and National Insurance contributions.
• You don't have employment rights as such if you're self-employed as you are your own boss and can therefore decide how much to charge for your work and how much holiday to give yourself.
• You do have some legal protection.
• You must not be discriminated against and you're entitled to a safe and healthy working environment on your client's premises.
• Self-employed women who have recently left their jobs may be entitled to Maternity Allowance.