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Assistant video editor vs freelance producer

The differences between assistant video editors and freelance producers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an assistant video editor, becoming a freelance producer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a freelance producer has an average salary of $62,218, which is higher than the $46,128 average annual salary of an assistant video editor.

The top three skills for an assistant video editor include video footage, adobe premiere and edit video. The most important skills for a freelance producer are music videos, news stories, and video content.

Assistant video editor vs freelance producer overview

Assistant Video EditorFreelance Producer
Yearly salary$46,128$62,218
Hourly rate$22.18$29.91
Growth rate12%8%
Number of jobs5,5119,703
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Average age3740
Years of experience612

What does an assistant video editor do?

An assistant video editor helps the director and editor in gathering and organizing the necessary elements for video editing. Assistant video editors oversee different instructions and lists for the completion of the film. They develop a video production firm focusing on the production of promotional videos for broadcast and web advertisement. It is part of their duties to share and edit video sequences using Avid systems and Final Cut Pro through Auto Deck.

What does a freelance producer do?

The responsibilities of a freelance producer are so broad that they can be tricky to define. Broadly, a freelance producer is responsible for finding, launching, and completing a project. They primarily handle logistics pertaining to the creation of various pieces of content. This content may include television shows, advertisements, or audio/video presentations. They also manage finances, keep the production within the allocated budget, and hire all key staff, crew members, and post-production teams. They may also have to scout for shoot locations.

Assistant video editor vs freelance producer salary

Assistant video editors and freelance producers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant Video EditorFreelance Producer
Average salary$46,128$62,218
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $69,000Between $33,000 And $113,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between assistant video editor and freelance producer education

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

Assistant Video EditorFreelance Producer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeNew York UniversityHarvard University

Assistant video editor vs freelance producer demographics

Here are the differences between assistant video editors' and freelance producers' demographics:

Assistant Video EditorFreelance Producer
Average age3740
Gender ratioMale, 66.3% Female, 33.7%Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 63.3% 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, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage10%14%

Differences between assistant video editor and freelance producer duties and responsibilities

Assistant video editor example responsibilities.

  • Communicate with transportation managers, administrators, equipment operators and others for fulfillment of copy to achieve editorial goals.
  • Edit and organize footage for use in feature length documentaries
  • Create files of complete content and upload them to the station's YouTube channel.
  • Edit a five DVD master series educational documentary, total length; 6 hours.
  • Edit services to be air on television, post online, and distribute via DVD.
  • Create media packaging using photography and design graphics, improving the perceived quality of information and promotional materials.
  • Show more

Freelance producer example responsibilities.

  • Drive engagement by managing the brand's YouTube channel, as well as all other social media outlets.
  • Manage production shoots for image campaigns and monthly communications meetings for CNN newsroom and internal in-house creative services department.
  • Manage creative release process working closely with site merchandising, content engineering, release engineering, QA, buyers and marketing.
  • Manage the QA process including test/debug cycles and platform compliance/compatibility testing.
  • Produce for Chubb s website, YouTube, Facebook and on DVD.
  • Help maintain social media presence on Facebook and Instagram.
  • Show more

Assistant video editor vs freelance producer skills

Common assistant video editor skills
  • Video Footage, 18%
  • Adobe Premiere, 11%
  • Edit Video, 8%
  • Video Production, 7%
  • Audio Equipment, 6%
  • YouTube, 6%
Common freelance producer skills
  • Music Videos, 20%
  • News Stories, 6%
  • Video Content, 5%
  • Video Production, 4%
  • Live Events, 4%
  • Photography, 4%

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