What Trade Show Labor Actually Costs
A clear, numbers-first explanation of straight time, overtime, union scales, general contractor markups and where your labor budget actually goes.
The Spread: Where the Money Goes
Trade show exhibitors frequently ask why official contractor labor bills are so high. The numbers below are public, verifiable market rates from unions and general contractor published rate sheets:
That spread — roughly $32 in base worker wages against $165 to $225+ billed to the exhibitor — represents the official hall contractor's corporate margin, benefits, administrative overhead, and profit.
By appointing Trade Show Booth Labor as your independent EAC, you deploy dedicated, cross-trained crews who work exclusively on your exhibit, saving thousands in eliminated bloat and avoiding unnecessary trade hand-off delays.
Straight Time (ST)
Typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM or 5:00 PM. This is the baseline hourly billing rate on any show floor.
Overtime (OT)
Applies before 8:00 AM, after 4:30/5:00 PM on weekdays, and all day Saturday. Rates jump by 50% automatically.
Double Time (DT)
Applies to all hours worked on Sundays and recognized union holidays. Strategic move-in scheduling is essential to avoid DT calls.
Booth Labor Estimator & EAC Calendar
Model the working scope, then send the complete intake to the appropriate dispatch queue.
The next step captures your contact, company, and finalized scope in the secure dispatch form. Please select the market shown above in the intake.