Edinburgh Fringe Pay 2026

What you should expect to be paid for working at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe — by role, by venue, and what's legally the floor.

UK National Living Wage from 1 April 2026: £12.71/hr (21+), £10.85/hr (18–20), £8.00/hr (16–17 and apprentices). Every Edinburgh festival employer must pay at least these rates by law. Read the full breakdown →

Pay ranges by role (2026)

Role Typical hourly pay Notes
Bar staff (major venues)£13–£15/hr + tipsLate-night premiums common
Front of house / ushers£12.71–£14/hrReal Living Wage at Assembly, Pleasance, others
Box office / ticketing£12.71–£14/hrTraining usually provided
Technical crew (lights, sound)£14–£20/hrHigher with experience
Stage management£500–£700/week (flat fee)Check hourly equivalent
Site crew£13–£16/hrBuilds start mid-July
Flyering£10–£12/hr or commissionOutdoor, weather-dependent
Catering / hospitality£12.71–£14/hr + staff mealsSplit shifts common
Security / stewarding£13–£16/hr (SIA roles pay more)SIA licence required for security
PR / marketing£12–£15/hrMix of office and on-the-ground
VolunteeringUnpaidFree shows, meal allowance, sometimes accommodation

Ranges reflect the major Fringe employers. Smaller show companies and pop-ups occasionally pay less; specialist or senior roles pay more.

Pay at the major Fringe venues

Assembly Festival

£13.45–£15.25/hour

Real Living Wage

Underbelly

£12.71–£14.50/hour

Real Living Wage

Pleasance

£12.71–£13.50/hour (paid roles); volunteer programme available

Real Living Wage Volunteer programme

Gilded Balloon

£12.71–£14.00/hour

Summerhall

£12.71–£13.00/hour

ZOO Venues

Volunteer programme (accommodation provided); paid tech roles £12.71–£14/hr

Volunteer programme

Real Living Wage vs National Living Wage

The National Living Wage is the statutory UK minimum for workers aged 21 and over — £12.71/hr from April 2026. It's set by the government and enforced by HMRC.

The Real Living Wage is a voluntary, higher rate set by the Living Wage Foundation, calculated to cover actual cost of living. The Fringe Society, Assembly, Pleasance, and several other venues are accredited Real Living Wage employers.

For 21+ workers the gap has narrowed in recent years, but the Real Living Wage matters more for 18–20-year-olds (where the statutory rate is £10.85) and apprentices.

What can and can't be deducted

Employers can deduct tax, NI, accommodation up to the £11.10/day offset, and things you've specifically agreed to in writing. They cannot deduct uniform costs, till shortages, or training costs that take you below minimum wage. Full guide.

Pay-related guides

Frequently asked questions

From 1 April 2026 the UK statutory minimum is £12.71/hr for workers aged 21 and over (the National Living Wage), £10.85/hr for 18–20-year-olds, and £8.00/hr for 16–17-year-olds and apprentices.

Most major Fringe venues pay bar staff between £13 and £15 per hour, with late-night premiums and tips on top. Some venues sit closer to the National Living Wage floor for entry-level roles.

Assembly, Pleasance, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, and several other venues are accredited Real Living Wage employers. This currently means at least £12.60/hr — meaningfully above the statutory floor for 18–20-year-olds.

Yes. Since October 2024, the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act requires employers to pass on 100% of tips to staff and have a written tips policy. Tips cannot be used to top up below-minimum wages.

If your employer provides accommodation as part of the job, they can deduct up to £11.10 per day towards housing costs (the statutory accommodation offset from April 2026). That's around £333 over a 30-day Fringe run.

Last reviewed for the 2026 festival season. Updated annually as statutory and Real Living Wage rates change.