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London Nightlife Pay Audit
In late 2025, Equity launched a major survey to expose the reality of pay, precarity and safety for professional nightlife performers in London.
Comedians, DJs, drag, burlesque and fire performers, cabaret and aerial artists, club singers and variety performers of all kinds came forward to share their experiences of pay and working conditions across the capital’s nightlife scene.
What we found went beyond pay. And it was shocking.
Survey Key Findings
Pay
Only 2% of respondents said that the rates they’ve been receiving have risen in line with the cost of living, with an overwhelming 98% saying their rates have not risen in line with the cost of living.
The most common response to the question “On average how much do you earn for a gig in London?” was the range “£100-£199”.
The average number of gigs worked per week was 2.11.
The average amount spent on travel per month was £200. Meanwhile, the average amount spent on hair, make up and costume for an act per month was £162.
If we calculate the average pay for nightlife performers by using £150 (which is the halfway point of the modal pay range £100-£199), and subtract average expenses for travel and hair, make up and costume, this suggests London’s nightlife performers earn an average of £1,371.50 a month or £12,411 a year after expenses from their work in the industry.
This is well below the national median salary of £39,039, and even less than the London median salary of £49,692.
Rate Card
90% of respondents agree it would be helpful to them if Equity published a rate card of suggested minimum rates for nightlife performers in different working contexts.
When asked about their thoughts on the rate card, the 3 highest responses were:
I believe I would be able to negotiate better rates.
I believe performer careers would be taken more seriously.
I believe it would be helpful for performers just starting out.
Safety
33% of respondents feel less safe travelling to and from a gig now than in previous years.
90% of respondents said that promotors/venues rarely or never provide a taxi home late at night as a safety provision.
29% of respondents feel less safe at work than in previous years.
When asking for any further comments about safety a significant number of people commented about violence, aggression and sexual assault.
28% of responses explicitly describe an increase in transphobia, misogyny, homophobia, racism or far right sentiment in their working life. Experiencing regular instances of violence, aggression, and inappropriate touching.
Sexual Assault of workers is so normalised and anticipated even, that one person suggested charging an extra fee to venues who don’t have security, “to compensate for potential sexual assault (which happens far too often)”
The union will use the results to lobby the Mayor of London’s Nightlife Taskforce and campaign more widely on the key issues impacting the nightlife workforce.
It's time to stop waiting for a pay rise for London Nightlife performers and start winning one.
Join Equity's London Nightlife Network