Let’s Talk About Pay: Why Touring Needs More Transparency (and How You Can Help)

Crew members discuss their pay rates, revealing a surprising disparity in their earnings for the job.

Let’s be real — money is still one of the hardest things to talk about in the touring world. Whether you’re running front-of-house or hauling cases off a trailer at 2am, chances are you’ve wondered:“Am I being paid fairly?”And just as often, you probably haven’t gotten a straight answer.

That’s exactly why we built The Gig Pay Guide — a community-driven resource to shed light on real touring rates across departments, roles, and tour sizes.

Since launching it, the response has been amazing. People from all over the industry have shared, contributed, and told us how valuable it’s been. But we know it’s just the beginning.

🔄 Help Shape the 2025 Update

We’re planning to update the Gig Pay Guide every year, and Version 2 is already in the works for late 2025. To get it right, we’re asking for a few minutes of your time.

This anonymous survey lets you submit your pay details confidentially — no names, no emails, just your rate, your role, and some basic info about the tour. That’s it.

The more people who participate, the more accurate and powerful this tool becomes for everyone.

🤐 Why Money’s Still a Taboo Topic

Let’s be honest — talking about pay has always felt a little off-limits in this business. Some people were told it was “unprofessional.” Others were made to feel like asking about money was a sign they didn’t love the work.

But here’s the truth: transparency is how we all get better deals, safer work environments, and more respect. It’s not about calling anyone out — it’s about lifting each other up.

Two crew members humorously discuss unclear salary details while preparing for an event.

🎯 Why This Matters

Knowing what others earn gives you:

• A realistic benchmark for your next gig

• Confidence to negotiate better pay

• Clarity around what’s fair (and what’s not)

• A voice in shaping a more equitable touring industry

The survey is quick, anonymous, and incredibly helpful — not just for you, but for the entire crew community.

📌 Here’s How You Can Help

1. Take the anonymous survey → Click here

2. Browse the current Gig Pay Guide → Check it out

3. Share it with your crew → Text it, DM it, post it

We believe that everyone on the road deserves transparency, respect, and fair pay — and we’re building tools that help make that possible.

Thanks for being part of it.

– TheConcertIndustry.com Team