Pursuant to the 2023-2026 DGA National Commercial Agreement (NCA) and AICP Sideletter, the following rate increases are effective as of December 1, 2025.
Presumed Shoot Day Salary
The presumed salary on which contributions are made for freelance directors (i.e., non-principal directors) to the DGA Pension and Health Plans has increased to $12,500 per shoot day.
Per the AICP Sideletter to the DGA NCA, Employers remit contributions for non-principal directors on the shoot day presumed salary regardless of actual wages.
Presumed Annual Salary for Principals and Staff Employees
For production company principals and staff employees who are DGA members and for whom benefits contributions are made to the DGA Plans based on the presumed annual earnings, the presumed annual earnings increased as follows:
- Principal Directors Presumed Annual Salary: $210,000
- Principal AD/UPM & Staff UPM/1st AD Presumed Annual Salary: $173,000
- Staff 2nd AD Presumed Annual Salary: $105,000
DGA Health and Pension Plans Contribution Rate Increase
The contribution rate for the DGA Health Plan and DGA Pension Plan each increased by 0.25%. The Commercial Industry Administrative Fund contribution rate increased by 0.05%. The other DGA fringe rates remain unchanged:
- Employer pension contribution: 8.75%
- Employer health contribution: 11.25%
- Employee pension contribution: 2.5%
- Commercial Qualification List: 0.25%
- Commercial Directors Diversity Program: 0.25%
- Commercial Industry Administrative Fund: 0.45%
The total benefits contribution rate, inclusive of the employee contribution, is now 23.45%. Exclusive of the employee contribution (2.5%), the total benefits contribution rate is 20.95%.
Scale Rate Increases
The DGA daily and weekly scale rates increased by 3.5% to the following:
Director
● Daily: $1,841
● Weekly: $7,364
1st Assistant Director
● Daily: $1,280
● Weekly: $5,119
2nd Assistant Director
● Daily: $750
● Weekly: $2,999
Unit Production Manager
● Daily: $1,052
● Weekly: $4,209
Click here for the 2025-2026 AICP DGA Scale Rate Sheet.
Should you have questions about the DGA Agreement, please contact David Michael González, Director of Labor Relations, davidg@aicp.com, and Ralph Loyola, Labor Relations Manager, ralphl@aicp.com.