Set PA
| Highest | $3,200 / mo · United States |
|---|---|
| Experience | 0–1 yrs |
| Degree | Not required |
| First paycheck | 1 to 2 weeks after shoot wrap (landing the first freelance gig requires several months of networking) |
Pay in the destination countries
Monthly, in US dollars. Each country is an Imora admission package — open one for that route's fees, language requirement and deadline.
| Country | Monthly |
|---|---|
| United StatesTOEFL 80–100 · $10–70k | $3,200max |
| Hong KongIELTS 6.0–6.5 · HK–200k | $2,600 |
| SingaporeIELTS 6.5 · SGD 18–35k | $2,600 |
| United KingdomIELTS 6.0–7.0 · £11–38k | $2,600 |
| CanadaIELTS 6.0–6.5 · CAD 20–40k | $2,500 |
| AustraliaIELTS 6.0–6.5 · AUD 30–50k | $2,300 |
What does the day look like?
A Set PA provides the physical logistical backbone of a film set. The job does not involve handling cinema cameras, adjusting lighting rigs, or giving creative input to directors or actors. Your day begins 30 to 60 minutes before general crew call to print and distribute mini-call sheets and script sides. Throughout the day, you hand out Motorola CP200 radios and swap depleted batteries, guard doors and perimeter points to block pedestrian noise during takes (lock-ups), escort principal cast from trailers, herd background extras, serve coffee and water, and clear trash between takes. You also drive production vans to pick up props or hard drives, and sweep stages at wrap.
Roughly 80% of your day is physical labor, 15% is administrative tracking (walkie logs and talent vouchers), and only 5% is observing creative operations. Standard shifts run 12 to 16 hours (based on 10+1 hours in the UK or 12 hours in the US and Canada). Night shoots routinely run from 17:00 to 06:00. You spend 10 to 14 hours on your feet on concrete, asphalt, or mud. Work is entirely freelance and sporadic: you may work 14 consecutive 14-hour days, followed by 3 weeks with no bookings.
Where does this lead?
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