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The differences between associate producers and production managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an associate producer, becoming a production manager takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a production manager has an average salary of $78,064, which is higher than the $47,279 average annual salary of an associate producer.
The top three skills for an associate producer include customer service, video content and sales floor. The most important skills for a production manager are continuous improvement, customer service, and quality standards.
| Associate Producer | Production Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $47,279 | $78,064 |
| Hourly rate | $22.73 | $37.53 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 9,295 | 95,561 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 40 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
An associate producer is an entry-level one position in the television and film industry who assists senior producers in putting a TV program or film together. Associate producers are required to write, edit, and organize scripts and run a teleprompter in newscasts. Most of the assistant producers are required to obtain a bachelor's degree and become editors, writers, or actors to gain experience in television and film. Associate producers are also often assigned to tasks with operational duties such as generating financial reports or status updates.
Production managers work in show business, whether in film, television shows, or theatre productions. They oversee the whole production and ensure that all agreements are met. They manage finances and budget allocation. They oversee the design of costumes and sets. They also manage the timeline of filming and ensure that the production or filming will finish within the agreed timeline. Production managers also ensure that all stakeholders are satisfied. They build meaningful working relationships with everyone involved, from directors to actors to crew members. They try to mitigate any potential challenges in the production budget and schedule.
Associate producers and production managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Producer | Production Manager | |
| Average salary | $47,279 | $78,064 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $70,000 | Between $50,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Apple | Cheniere Energy |
| Best paying industry | Media | Technology |
There are a few differences between an associate producer and a production manager in terms of educational background:
| Associate Producer | Production Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Communication | Business |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between associate producers' and production managers' demographics:
| Associate Producer | Production Manager | |
| Average age | 40 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8% | Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 5.1% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 14% | 6% |