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Assistant producer vs executive producer

The differences between assistant producers and executive producers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an assistant producer and an executive producer. Additionally, an executive producer has an average salary of $117,841, 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 executive producer are video production, digital content, and digital platforms.

Assistant producer vs executive producer overview

Assistant ProducerExecutive Producer
Yearly salary$45,231$117,841
Hourly rate$21.75$56.65
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs10,25674,007
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Average age4040
Years of experience1212

What does an assistant producer do?

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.

What does an executive producer do?

An executive producer is responsible for supervising the creation and development of digital entertainment content. Executive producers secure and maintain the production budget, negotiate with a production company, and manage marketing campaigns for promotion. They also work with multiple producers to finalize the production team, review the creative content, and ensure the completeness of production plans within the agreed timeframe. An executive producer must have excellent communication and organization skills, especially on coordinating with production personnel to ensure the smooth flow of the production operations.

Assistant producer vs executive producer salary

Assistant producers and executive producers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant ProducerExecutive Producer
Average salary$45,231$117,841
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $62,000Between $72,000 And $190,000
Highest paying CityMiddletown, CTNovato, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutNevada
Best paying companyPlayStationNetflix
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between assistant producer and executive producer education

There are a few differences between an assistant producer and an executive producer in terms of educational background:

Assistant ProducerExecutive Producer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Assistant producer vs executive producer demographics

Here are the differences between assistant producers' and executive producers' demographics:

Assistant ProducerExecutive Producer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 51.5% Female, 48.5%Male, 62.3% Female, 37.7%
Race ratioBlack 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, 7.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage14%14%

Differences between assistant producer and executive producer duties and responsibilities

Assistant producer example responsibilities.

  • Facilitate and manage CNN weekend editorial team of freelance editorial producers.
  • Research relevant theme source b-roll video and book relevant interviews and shoots.
  • Used information to compile competitive quarterly reviews using Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • Collaborate with production to streamline and track internal booking calendars.
  • Negotiate copyediting, proofreading, typesetting/layout, and art rendering services at substantial cost savings to the company.
  • Develop story ideas and create highlights and feature packages for specialty shows including SportsCenter, NFL PrimeTime and NBA2Night.
  • Show more

Executive producer example responsibilities.

  • Manage local ABC affiliate news department.
  • Manage on air giveaways and daily advertising metrics
  • Manage day-to-day completion activities including project planning and QA testing.
  • Operate ENG vehicles and equipment.
  • Coordinate out of house productions for live events such as ABC live and Facebook live.
  • Develop an expert understanding for building a channel and programming video on YouTube and the competitive platforms.
  • Show more

Assistant producer vs executive producer skills

Common assistant producer skills
  • Video Production, 17%
  • Web Content, 10%
  • Audio Clips, 7%
  • Production Schedules, 7%
  • QA, 5%
  • Facebook, 5%
Common executive producer skills
  • Video Production, 9%
  • Digital Content, 9%
  • Digital Platforms, 6%
  • Web Content, 6%
  • News Stories, 5%
  • News Content, 5%

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