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Assistant producer vs production assistant

The differences between assistant producers and production assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assistant producer has an average salary of $45,231, which is higher than the $33,405 average annual salary of a production assistant.

The top three skills for an assistant producer include video production, web content and audio clips. The most important skills for a production assistant are video production, teleprompter, and audio board.

Assistant producer vs production assistant overview

Assistant ProducerProduction Assistant
Yearly salary$45,231$33,405
Hourly rate$21.75$16.06
Growth rate8%-5%
Number of jobs10,25651,905
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4038
Years of experience12-

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 a production assistant do?

Production assistants are employees in show business, working behind the scenes. They work in film, television, or even theatre sets primarily to provide support. They usually work directly under directors or producers. Production assistants are responsible for ensuring that the day will run smoothly, be it for a television or film shoot or a performance at the theatre. They should be familiar with all the scenes, ensure that the cast and crew are ready, and cue them when it is their time to go on. They should also be able to anticipate needs that may arise and should be able to quickly mitigate any challenges. Production assistants should be flexible and have quick decision-making skills.

Assistant producer vs production assistant salary

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

Assistant ProducerProduction Assistant
Average salary$45,231$33,405
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $62,000Between $25,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityMiddletown, CTBristol, CT
Highest paying stateConnecticutHawaii
Best paying companyPlayStationNational Football League
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between assistant producer and production assistant education

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

Assistant ProducerProduction Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeHarvard University-

Assistant producer vs production assistant demographics

Here are the differences between assistant producers' and production assistants' demographics:

Assistant ProducerProduction Assistant
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 51.5% Female, 48.5%Male, 53.4% Female, 46.6%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 6.5% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage14%9%

Differences between assistant producer and production assistant 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

Production assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage customer accounts using Quickbooks.
  • Manage cross-departmental communication and collaboration to increase ESPN viewers.
  • Manage QA process including test/debug cycles and platform compliance/compatibility testing.
  • Manage all office aspects including general administrative duties and assisting with staff payroll.
  • Manage client photography house accounts and submissions, including calculating usage rights and licensing royalty-free and rights-manage images.
  • Manage and refine the metadata system for a photography database -communicate with customers over e-mail with regards to advertisement proofs
  • Show more

Assistant producer vs production assistant skills

Common assistant producer skills
  • Video Production, 17%
  • Web Content, 10%
  • Audio Clips, 7%
  • Production Schedules, 7%
  • QA, 5%
  • Facebook, 5%
Common production assistant skills
  • Video Production, 18%
  • Teleprompter, 7%
  • Audio Board, 7%
  • Purchase Orders, 4%
  • Production Equipment, 4%
  • Photography, 4%

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