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The differences between assistant producers and assistant directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an assistant producer, becoming an assistant director takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an assistant director has an average salary of $63,063, which is higher than the $45,231 average annual salary of an assistant producer.
The top three skills for an assistant producer include video production, web content and audio clips. The most important skills for an assistant director are customer service, CPR, and child care.
| Assistant Producer | Assistant Director | |
| Yearly salary | $45,231 | $63,063 |
| Hourly rate | $21.75 | $30.32 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 10,256 | 25,087 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
In the entertainment industry, an assistant producer is in charge of overseeing production operations and coordinating staff, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. They typically manage the schedules and hiring procedures, write and edit production materials, arrange meetings with internal and external parties, procure supplies, and develop strategies to optimize production operations. They may also perform clerical tasks such as preparing and processing documentation, obtaining permits, and even disseminating information. Furthermore, an assistant producer may also participate in establishing policies and regulations for a safe and efficient work environment.
Assistant directors are employees in show business who directly support directors. They may be working on a film, television show, or theatre production. Assistant directors are the second-in-command on the set. They take over for the director when he/she or she is unable to work. Assistant directors should be familiar with the script and the scenes. They are usually heavily involved in the conception of the production. They ensure that the plans are executed well by assisting in the selection of the cast and crew, production sets, and other set providers. They also make sure that shoot days or performance days go without a hitch by ironing out all the details in advance and preparing alternatives.
Assistant producers and assistant directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assistant Producer | Assistant Director | |
| Average salary | $45,231 | $63,063 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $62,000 | Between $37,000 And $105,000 |
| Highest paying City | Middletown, CT | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | PlayStation | Mayer Brown |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between an assistant producer and an assistant director in terms of educational background:
| Assistant Producer | Assistant Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Communication | Business |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between assistant producers' and assistant directors' demographics:
| Assistant Producer | Assistant Director | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.5% Female, 48.5% | Male, 38.3% Female, 61.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 14% | 14% |