{
  "slug": "gig-pay-split",
  "title": "Band Gig Pay Split Calculator",
  "heading": "Gig & Band Pay Split Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/gig-pay-split",
  "summary": "Divide a gig fee fairly across band members, gear, and expenses.",
  "description": "Splitting gig money 'evenly' ignores who owns the PA, who drove the van, and who's a hired sideman versus a full member. This calculator takes the gross gig fee, subtracts shared expenses (gas, tolls, backline rental) off the top, then divides the remainder by a method you choose: equal splits among members, or a base rate for hired players plus an equal split of the remainder among core members.",
  "formula": "Net = gross − expenses; hired players paid flat first; remaining net split equally among core members.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=gig-pay-split",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "gross",
      "label": "Gig fee (gross)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 800,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "expenses",
      "label": "Shared expenses (gas, tolls, rentals)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 60,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "coreMembers",
      "label": "Core/equity members",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 4,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "hiredPlayers",
      "label": "Hired sidemen (flat rate)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 0,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "hiredRate",
      "label": "Flat rate per hired player",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 100,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "perMember",
      "label": "Each core member gets",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "netAfterExpenses",
      "label": "Net after shared expenses",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "hiredTotal",
      "label": "Total paid to hired players",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "remaining",
      "label": "Remaining pool for core members",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Gig fee (gross): 800 $",
      "Shared expenses (gas, tolls, rentals): 60 $",
      "Core/equity members: 4",
      "Hired sidemen (flat rate): 0",
      "Flat rate per hired player: 100 $"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Each core member gets: $185.00",
      "Net after shared expenses: $740.00",
      "Total paid to hired players: $0.00",
      "Remaining pool for core members: $740.00"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter gig fee (gross) ($).",
      "Enter shared expenses (gas, tolls, rentals) ($).",
      "Enter core/equity members.",
      "Enter hired sidemen (flat rate).",
      "Enter flat rate per hired player ($).",
      "Read your each core member gets on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "gross": 475,
        "expenses": 35,
        "coreMembers": 2,
        "hiredPlayers": 0,
        "hiredRate": 60
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "gross": 800,
        "expenses": 60,
        "coreMembers": 4,
        "hiredPlayers": 0,
        "hiredRate": 100
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "gross": 1275,
        "expenses": 95,
        "coreMembers": 6,
        "hiredPlayers": 0,
        "hiredRate": 160
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Should the person who owns the PA get extra?",
      "a": "Most working bands add an equipment fee (often $25–$75 per gig depending on gear value and wear) paid to the equipment owner before splitting the rest, similar to how hired players are paid off the top here. Add it into 'shared expenses' as a negative, or treat it as a hired-player line if it's a fixed amount."
    },
    {
      "q": "How do you handle a band leader who books all the gigs?",
      "a": "Common practice is a flat booking fee (5–15% of the gig) or a slightly larger equal share, agreed on upfront rather than negotiated gig by gig. Put it in writing so it doesn't become a recurring argument."
    },
    {
      "q": "What if members play different set lengths or roles?",
      "a": "Equal splits assume comparable contribution and commitment (rehearsal time, gear, travel). If one member only plays two songs as a guest, treat them as a hired player with a flat rate instead of a full equal share."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/touring-per-diem",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/merch-table-profit"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Band Gig Pay Split Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/gig-pay-split)"
}