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Job outlook for media producers in the United States
Are media producer jobs in demand?
Media producer job and salary trends over time
Media producer jobs over time
Media producer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 766 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 705 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 738 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 695 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 685 | 0.00% |
Average media producer salary over time
Media producer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $57,433 | $27.61 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $55,945 | $26.90 | +3.8% |
| 2023 | $53,885 | $25.91 | +0.1% |
| 2022 | $53,840 | $25.88 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $53,336 | $25.64 | +3.7% |
Media producer jobs by state
Most common states for media producers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 150 | 22% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 67 | 11% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 65 | 7% |
| 4 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 40 | 7% |
| 5 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 187 | 6% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 51 | 6% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 46 | 6% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 43 | 6% |
| 9 | New York | 19,849,399 | 970 | 5% |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 352 | 5% |
| 11 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 171 | 5% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 90 | 5% |
| 13 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 81 | 5% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 64 | 5% |
| 15 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 62 | 5% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 57 | 5% |
| 17 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 51 | 5% |
| 18 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 262 | 4% |
| 19 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 224 | 4% |
| 20 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 152 | 4% |
Most common cities for media producers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farmington | 1 | 4% | $69,313 |
| 2 | Bethesda | 1 | 2% | $50,766 |
| 3 | Covington | 1 | 2% | $50,276 |
| 4 | Southfield | 1 | 1% | $41,508 |
| 5 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $55,926 |
| 6 | Birmingham | 1 | 0% | $39,851 |
| 7 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $45,718 |
| 8 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $62,177 |
| 9 | New York | 1 | 0% | $64,458 |
| 10 | Tampa | 1 | 0% | $42,491 |
| 11 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $57,230 |
Media Producer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of media producer experts
Texas Woman's University
Furman University
Midland College
Olympic College
Duquesne University
Dominican University of California
University of Toledo
Susquehanna University
California Baptist University
Cedar Crest College
California Lutheran University
Andrews University
West Virginia State University
Iowa State University
Temple University
Webster University
Columbia College Chicago
Drexel University
Montclair State University
Baylor University
What Media Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Aimée Myers Ph.D.: Digital literacy, multimedia creating/editing, intercultural communication, content curation/management.
Professor Margaret Oakes
Professor of EnglishFurman University
English Language And Literature
What will help Media Producers increase their earning potential?
Professor Margaret Oakes: Our graduates have such a variety of careers with an English major that this is hard to answer. But perhaps this is the answer - English majors have such widely applicable skills that they need to be alert to how they can be applied almost anywhere, and be prepared to sell their skills to a potential employer.
Stacey Hewitt
Communications CoordinatorMidland College
What skills stand out on Media Producer resumes?
Stacey Hewitt: The skill that stands out on Multimedia Journalist's resume is the ability to wear many hats/handle multiple responsibilities. Gone are the days where TV news reporters had photogs that took the video for them, and they just asked the questions. Journalists are doing everything all by themselves. I'm talking - you are responsible for coming up with your own story ideas/pitches, going live on Facebook before news shows, editing a story for news shows, cutting a different version for the web, and maybe even writing a print version for a newspaper partner. Showcase all your experiences, especially web and video editing experience, as everything is becoming more visual on video platforms. Even if you aren't responsible for web or editing in your current job, try to dabble in it so you can put it on your resume. Or go back to school and take a class in video and video editing.
What soft skills should all Media Producers possess?
Stacey Hewitt: Communication is obviously a very important soft skill. You will be communicating on various levels with your coworkers, newsmakers, interviewees, and viewers, and each is a slightly nuanced brand of communication. I would brand your communication with viewers as a very different kind of communication. It's more tease-worthy and casual as opposed to a straightforward, formal English essay. But you must know what information you are after and how to write and spell correctly when formally requesting interviews with high-profile newsmakers.
Problem-solving is another important soft skill. As you probably already know, these days, technology malfunctions all the time. You must have workarounds and think on your feet when something happens because deadlines are still deadlines.
Multimedia Journalists also must be creative. These days storytelling has become an art. Sometimes the same old way of telling a story is okay, but sometimes taking a chance and doing something different can really catch on and stand out. For example, if you start a Facebook poll on a story you did about mask-wearing, you could really help take it to new heights. You must be willing to try new things and ultimately, sometimes, fail.
Not everyone will like you or your stories, so multimedia journalists have to have thick skin. Your boss and your viewers will have opinions, and they aren't always going to be nice. Try to incorporate some stuff sometimes and sometimes stick to your guns.
Finally, be a mega-media consumer yourself. You need to know how to repurpose the stuff you do for many different platforms and different things (lengths) work on each. The best way to know what works is to have a healthy diet of media yourself. This soft skill is what intro communications classes like Midland College's COMM 1307 Introduction to mass communications do best. Classes like this can encourage students to become critical media consumers by looking at the development and current trends of print media, broadcasting, advertising, and public relations.
Amy Hesketh
Full Time FacultyOlympic College
Social Sciences & Humanities (SSH) Division
What soft skills should all Media Producers possess?
Amy Hesketh: -Collaboration.
-Teamwork.
-Project management.
-Crew management.
-Professionalism.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Media Producers?
Amy Hesketh: -Film production.
-Videography.
-Video editing.
-Video streaming.
-Budgeting.
-Scheduling.
What skills stand out on Media Producer resumes?
Amy Hesketh: Ability to work with a variety of editing software (Avid, Adobe Premiere Pro/Audition, Resolve). Screenwriting and story development.
What skills will help Media Producers earn the most?
Amy Hesketh: -Certification in DaVinci Resolve.
-Motion graphics.
-Ability to create a finished, professional video from script to screen.
What soft skills should all Media Producers possess?
Dr. Mike Dillon: Today, teamwork is paramount. A young professional must work with and communicate effectively with a wide array of internal constituencies. You definitely need interpersonal skills -- whether you are working in person or over Zoom or another video platform. The ability to work independently to problem-solve. Media cycles are now measured in nano-seconds, so a supervisor needs to be able to trust that you can handle what comes your way without constantly checking in. Tone -- the insight to understand how different platforms you use for planning or dealing with sources/constituents/colleagues -- who may be of different ages or from different cultures -- require mindfulness about how and what you communicate.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Media Producers?
Dr. Mike Dillon: Media is about storytelling -- whether it's an ad, a social media campaign, a magazine story, etc. Being able to use the tools of your trade, whatever they may be -- algorithms, editing suites, etc. The most important skill, though, is understanding the essence of those tools -- what is they are intended to accomplish. If you understand that, you can easily adapt when tools change -- which they frequently do.
What skills will help Media Producers earn the most?
Dr. Mike Dillon: To not think and act in a silo, to adapt and be in a position when new opportunities arise, even if they are not in a seeming linear line from where you might be at the moment. A person who is a critical thinker with technical skills is more valuable than a person who is adept at doing what they're told with technology but has no larger sense of the how or why they use tools.
What skills stand out on Media Producer resumes?
Dr. Mike Dillon: Evidence (courses, internships, other experience) that demonstrates competence in communicating with a wide array of audiences across multiple platforms. Our journalism program, for instance, is multiplatform: students learn to write, edit, shoot video, create podcasts, adapt stories to fit the requirements of multiple platforms, etc. Basically, we want to send students out of here like Swiss Army Knives -- able to work in their area of proficiency, be that writing or videography, but also adept with a wide variety of other competencies.
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Communications, Coordinator, Online Learning and Development, Chair of the Communications and Media Studies DepartmentDominican University of California
Communication and Media Studies
What soft skills should all Media Producers possess?
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.: Working well with others, time management, and the ability to teach and supervise others.
What skills will help Media Producers earn the most?
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.: The hard skills (audio and video) usually get you the job, but the soft skills allow you to keep it and grow!
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Media Producer job market given the pandemic?
Deborah Orloff: Working remotely and meeting via Zoom (and similar video conferencing platforms) is obviously a huge trend, and I expect it to continue.
What skills stand out on Media Producer resumes?
Deborah Orloff: Flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing situations and new technology has become more important than ever! Creativity and entrepreneurship are also very important!
Craig Stark Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Communications, Department Head of CommunicationsSusquehanna University
Communications Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Media Producer job market given the pandemic?
Craig Stark Ph.D.: Probably more remote work opportunities. I would expect many employers will find it more cost-effective to have employees work from home or remote sites, which means employees have to have a good working knowledge of time management and technical skills.
What Media Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Craig Stark Ph.D.: If a graduate needs to take a gap year from work, the best thing I think they could do is stay involved with the industry. Subscribe to email and text updates from trade magazines, follow regulatory agencies like the FCC and FTC online, and stay in touch. Maintain contact with anyone that you've networked with and attend any virtual job fairs or conferences that you can. Use the time to practice and hone any technical or professional skills that you're interested in. The most important thing is to stay up-to-date and involved as much as you can, so that when the gap year is over it will be easier to get back into the swing.
What general advice would you give to a Media Producer?
Craig Stark Ph.D.: Be flexible and willing to change goals and perspectives. The industry is constantly changing and evolving but fortunately you can do anything with a communications degree. Use that flexibility to your advantage and do the best you can to prepare for any industrial, professional, and personal changes in your life.
What experience really stands out on Media Producer resumes?
MaryAnn Pearson: Resumes that include work with student publications (newspapers, magazines, and yearbooks) and links to published articles stand out. Students who have participated in internships also stand out as they show experience.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Media Producers?
MaryAnn Pearson: Society is changing overall, and these changes will impact graduates. We may see more online or hybrid work opportunities. The job market for students trained in journalism and communication is very good.
What experience really stands out on Media Producer resumes?
Dr. Jill Purdy: "This is partially answered previously. I think students found time to be more self-reliant and independent. Hopefully, not to a fault as they move into their careers.
On resumes, we may see more of the soft skills described. It may sound counterintuitive, but I think a different kind of interpersonal skill was developed. On a Zoom call, what do we have but people and we have to figure out how to get our message across, collaborate, debate, and communicate effectively without extraneous factors. "
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Media Producers?
Dr. Jill Purdy: Yes, without a doubt. These students have faced difficult times socially and academically. My take is that they will be a bit more resilient on the other side of this pandemic. However, these graduates may have a more difficult time gaining employment with the financial crisis that has accompanied the pandemic.
I believe there will be social impacts as well. Living through isolation and quarantine changed their methods of communication. Their education was like no other time, leaving these students without the support they needed. Yet, somehow most students seemed to accept the challenge for the most part.
What type of skills will young Media Producers need?
Dr. Jill Purdy: One skill that these students have gained is the use of technology to learn and study. They were forced into it. I am sure these skills will be transferred to the workplace. Successful graduates will have time management, organizational, and self-regulation skills, which were essential to achieve during this pandemic.
One example, in my field of teacher education, is with pre-service teachers. The teachers needed to learn to teach and communicate fully online to elementary students. They were utilizing communication methods that they didn't know they had to engage young learners.
I don't think we have fully realized all the skills these students have learned during this time.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Media Producers?
Dr. Gerhard Apfelthaler Ph.D.: The pandemic has slowed down hiring for recent graduates in some areas, but not in all. For those recent graduates who have not found employment during the most recent months, it'll be essential to show companies how they have made the best use of that time. For instance, additional courses that they have taken, non-profit volunteering, events they have attended, such as start-up weekends, or having started innovative projects of their own.
What experience really stands out on Media Producer resumes?
Dr. Gerhard Apfelthaler Ph.D.: I would say this is dependent on the type of company or industry. If graduates from big, national, or international employers, it is essential to make it past the artificial intelligence filters. These companies get thousands of resumes weekly, so everything that makes an applicant unique - internships with other large, recognizable companies, projects that show deep subject matter expertise - helps. For smaller, regional companies, it is probably more important to show that one is part of a community and has good networking skills.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Media Producer job market given the pandemic?
Kimberly Pichot: I see two marketing areas that have grown during the pandemic: First, graduates with a strong background in digital and social marketing will have an advantage over other marketing students' groups. Second, graduates with robust analytics, market research, and KPI measurement skills will also be in demand. As the world shifted to increased online purchases, these marketing areas have continued to grow, while the more traditional marketing areas are experiencing a slowdown with the rest of the economy.
What general advice would you give to a Media Producer?
Kimberly Pichot: If connections were meaningful before, now they are more than crucial. Find ways to connect with marketing professionals, join the American Marketing Association, and join a local chapter. Take the time to build a strong portfolio, develop your brand, and stay out there, no matter how hard it is. And consider starting a side hustle that utilizes your most treasured part of marketing - starting and running a small business while you job hunt will give you some extra skills and push you to new levels.
What Media Producer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kimberly Pichot: If a graduate chooses to take a gap year, I recommend that they still take on activities to help them develop more skills. Find a nonprofit to volunteer and ask them if they could use your skills. Treat it as an internship or a job and find ways to hone your skills. Some skills marketing majors can focus on including social media content and campaign planning and delivery, digital marketing, and measurement. Build your portfolio with quantifiable results. Whether volunteering for one organization or several short stints in different organizations, engage in activities that will enhance your portfolio and demonstrate to future employers that you are growing.
Dr. Ali Ziyati Ph.D
ProfessorWest Virginia State University
Department of Communications & Media Studies
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Media Producers?
Dr. Ali Ziyati Ph.D: Graduates are also citizens of the world. This is a global pandemic, and we are all in it. Given the political economy of the coronavirus, many organizations are going through tough times. There will be fewer job opportunities for all graduates. The field of communication, on the other hand, maybe an exception. We learned it the hard way. We had to stay home, work, teach, and learn remotely. We filled our long days with entertainment, games, etc. We shared moments with family and loved ones virtually. The opportunities for internet-based media are endless. The essential item I retain from this experience is that media and communication technologies are central and our graduates.
What type of skills will young Media Producers need?
Dr. Ali Ziyati Ph.D: Media and technology literacy is of utmost importance. In communication and media studies at West Virginia State University, we do everything we can to provide our graduates with media literacy skills: video, audio, film, public relations, graphic design, etc. In general, graduates have to be excellent in computer and internet-based communication in terms of production and media content distribution. Specific skills include, but are not limited to, graphic design, editing, writing, research, and data analysis.
What experience really stands out on Media Producer resumes?
Dr. Ali Ziyati Ph.D: The nature of practical experiences and where they took place always stand out in any resume. I would pay close attention to the academic aspect and align with those practical experiences to see the level of the candidate's planning, performance, and dedication to his/her dream job.
Geoffrey Sauer Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, ISU English Undergraduate Studies; Director, ISU Studio for New MediaIowa State University
Department of English
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Media Producer job market given the pandemic?
Geoffrey Sauer Ph.D.: Today, my students are quite experienced with precarity, a word that's become popular this year (which refers to environments dominated by precarious conditions). This means that many are well-suited to changing circumstances and varying methods of working on teams. Though the high unemployment rate in the US-led to reduced job listings last summer, employers have told me that they've been very impressed with the students they do hire. Many established workers have little experience with different ways to manage distance collaboration. Still, full-time students graduating this December will have had at least 10-12 courses, and those graduating next May will have had at least 15-18 courses taught online (or mostly online). This means new graduates will have had more diverse experiences with collaboration in remote teams under different professors/supervisors, which will allow them to see an extensive range of leadership styles and techniques to manage people working together at a distance. Distance collaboration is here to stay, and today's students will have superior skills and diverse experience working in such environments.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Media Producers in the next 5 years?
Geoffrey Sauer Ph.D.: In the short term, this will depend enormously upon how the economy recovers from 2020. But if the US can forestall a deep recession, the job market will be quite good for graduates in the longer term. Baby Boomers are retiring, and my students are extremely hard workers-they tend to prove themselves quickly once hired. There will be a strong need for people with the skills being taught this year in technical communication. (See the BLM for data, if that's helpful.)
What skills stand out on Media Producer resumes?
David T. Z. Mindich Ph.D.: At Temple Journalism, we emphasize skills and practices that stand out on resumes. First, we send students out onto the streets of Philadelphia, the nation's fourth-largest media market, to report on a range of important, urban-related issues, from housing to wealth inequality to systemic racism to the pandemic to gentrification to education and beyond. Second, we teach storytelling across media platforms. Even though we are in a pandemic, students continue to report on pressing issues (while practicing safe distancing). When they graduate, they will have an important body of work to present.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Media Producers to find work opportunities?
David T. Z. Mindich Ph.D.: There are two kinds of advice for young journalists. Some suggest that graduates go to small markets and make a name for themselves. Others say that larger communities, like cities, offer more high profile work. Both strategies can be successful as long as the journalist works hard and strives for excellence.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Media Producer job market given the pandemic?
Lara Teeter: The most obvious trend is that "Virtual Theatre" is not going to be going away. In addition to television, film, Broadway & Regional theatre, cruise line and theme park work...our students and professionals alike have had to hone special skills in both the performance and technical aspects of virtual theatre. The other given is that the digital audition room (video submissions and even callbacks for projects) will continue to be used by producers, directors, casting directors, and agents. This is a real money saver when you consider the cost of flying someone in (director, casting director, talent), put them up at a hotel, and then rent the space to hold the audition. I do NOT feel that the "in-room" audition will go away, but the virtual audition room is something that is here to stay!
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Media Producer job market given the pandemic?
Duncan MacKenzie: The fine arts' job market is always aggressively entrepreneurial and requires our practitioners to establish their voice and space. With many of our more traditional paths squeezed or closed, we see an increased enthusiasm for online venues and the kinds of work that can support them. After the pandemic, we expect to see a return to the materially based practices and those with performative and social aspects, as the audience will be looking for less mediated experiences.
What skills stand out on Media Producer resumes?
Duncan MacKenzie: For all young artists, organizational skills, digital and web-based skills, and an ability to communicate verbally and textually are very important; beyond that, craft-based skills relevant to whatever is being made are always crucial.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Media Producers to find work opportunities?
Duncan MacKenzie: Artists can find relevance anywhere they want to work, but often, they must build the audience for their creative output. It is more comfortable in big cities such as New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, as they have pre-existing channels and communities for art-making and viewing. Still, those cities can be significantly more expensive to live in.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Media Producer job market given the pandemic?
Michael Wagner: We primarily serve the traditional digital media industries (game design, animation, visual effects, VR/AR, etc.). In our fields, the pandemic's most significant trend is the rapid development of solutions for virtualizing digital media production systems. Companies have started to move much of their production into cloud-based development environments that allow developers to work in geographically dispersed teams.
What skills stand out on Media Producer resumes?
Michael Wagner: Primarily an understanding of how to be productive in virtual teams. Anything that proves that somebody is capable of working independently and reliably.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Media Producers to find work opportunities?
Michael Wagner: In our fields, location is no longer a serious concern. People work from anywhere. There are still traditional pockets of media industries such as LA, but the overall tendency is to move into remote work arrangements.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Media Producer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Keith Strudler Ph.D.: As for trends, I think the most obvious is that media companies, in particular, will pay close attention to their distribution and economic models. Indeed, some networks are doing very well through the crisis, while others, including potentially movie studios and companies focused on major live sports, have found more roadblocks. So this may vary by sector and distribution model -- and it all stands to change as companies adapt and find new ways to create content and tell stories. I believe that graduates with experience using the range of new cloud-based, robotic, and remote tools and processes will have an obvious advantage.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Media Producers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Keith Strudler Ph.D.: Finally, as for place, it's tough to say -- although I'm sure others have a more informed opinion. We're in a remote work culture right now. So the place becomes less relevant, which allows companies to search more globally for talent. But as we move to the end of the pandemic and settle into a new normal, I would expect that companies will still want to create a culture and prioritize processes that come from proximity -- especially for new employees and recent graduates. So I'd expect that media hubs and headquarters will still be critical locations in recruiting new graduates -- which, for us, always centers around the New York City region.
What type of skills will young Media Producers need?
Chris Hansen: Students who want to work in media fields would benefit from a broad base of production skills as well as a solid understanding of theories related to visual aesthetics and what makes production more dynamic and visually interesting.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Media Producers to find work opportunities?
Chris Hansen: Most cities of any size have businesses and churches that need media professionals. Every business needs a media presence for their website, or social media, or advertising. So whether they do that with in-house media employees or outsource to firms or freelancers who handle the work, having these skills will make you employable in most medium-sized or large cities.
How do you envision technology impacting Media Producers in the next 5 years?
Chris Hansen: In digital media, technology is ever-changing. It's a field that's rooted in technological advances, giving us better ways to do what we do. So technology will change, and students in this field need to learn not only whatever is current, but they need to learn how to adapt as things change.