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Digital producer vs freelance video editor

The differences between digital producers and freelance video editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a digital producer, becoming a freelance video editor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a digital producer has an average salary of $82,842, which is higher than the $54,795 average annual salary of a freelance video editor.

The top three skills for a digital producer include digital content, digital marketing and digital platforms. The most important skills for a freelance video editor are training videos, video content, and motion graphics.

Digital producer vs freelance video editor overview

Digital ProducerFreelance Video Editor
Yearly salary$82,842$54,795
Hourly rate$39.83$26.34
Growth rate8%12%
Number of jobs24,8815,910
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4037
Years of experience126

What does a digital producer do?

A digital producer is responsible for monitoring the development of digital content campaigns from initial planning to distribution and publishing. Digital producers supervise the creation of designs, ensuring that the plans stay within the clients' specifications and budget requirements. They also analyze the scope and limitations of the contents, maintaining its focus on the target audience. A digital producer reviews the current digital trends to identify strategic techniques, promoting client's brands, and attract potential clients to generate more revenues and increase profitability.

What does a freelance video editor do?

A freelance video editor offers video editing services to individuals and businesses. Most freelance video editors manage their own time and work at their preferred places, some even working from home. Among their responsibilities include meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, negotiating contracts, gathering and editing clips, and completing projects within deadlines. There are also instances when they must shoot videos in adherence to the contract's terms. Moreover, a freelance video editor must establish positive relationships with clients to develop a strong client base.

Digital producer vs freelance video editor salary

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

Digital ProducerFreelance Video Editor
Average salary$82,842$54,795
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $123,000Between $32,000 And $91,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyTBWA Worldwide-
Best paying industryProfessional-

Differences between digital producer and freelance video editor education

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

Digital ProducerFreelance Video Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorCommunicationPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityNew York University

Digital producer vs freelance video editor demographics

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

Digital ProducerFreelance Video Editor
Average age4037
Gender ratioMale, 51.0% Female, 49.0%Male, 76.3% Female, 23.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage14%10%

Differences between digital producer and freelance video editor duties and responsibilities

Digital producer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the company's social media accounts and develop marketing campaigns on Facebook and Instagram.
  • Manage relaunch and bug fixing on both games, coordination between development, design, technical, QA and client.
  • Manage teams of copywriters, designers, web developers, and SEO analysts to complete projects and enhancements to the site.
  • Manage schedule milestone dates in company database; supervise full-service vendor in updating Smartsheet schedule.
  • Conceptualize and develop effective design and branding strategies for clients through flash animation, web design, and print.
  • Conduct daily scrum meetings to ensure effectiveness of the sprints
  • Show more

Freelance video editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage media assets including creating graphics, digitizing, archiving, editorial 'string-outs' and tracking media assets.
  • Operate cameras on set - Sony FS7, DSLR, assist DP with striking of set.
  • Collaborate with producers to match b-roll to script for voice-overs.
  • Direct and/or DP d lighting for many corporate communication projects.
  • Edit promotional content for YouTube, the company's main publishing site
  • Incorporate mix formats into a single project format including HD footage.
  • Show more

Digital producer vs freelance video editor skills

Common digital producer skills
  • Digital Content, 7%
  • Digital Marketing, 7%
  • Digital Platforms, 6%
  • SEO, 5%
  • Facebook, 5%
  • HTML, 4%
Common freelance video editor skills
  • Training Videos, 23%
  • Video Content, 7%
  • Motion Graphics, 6%
  • Adobe Premiere Pro, 5%
  • Edit Video, 5%
  • Freelance Video, 5%

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