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The differences between media production specialists and freelance videographer/editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a media production specialist, becoming a freelance videographer/editor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a media production specialist has an average salary of $53,243, which is higher than the $48,481 average annual salary of a freelance videographer/editor.
The top three skills for a media production specialist include training videos, video production and graphic design. The most important skills for a freelance videographer/editor are training videos, video content, and video production.
| Media Production Specialist | Freelance Videographer/Editor | |
| Yearly salary | $53,243 | $48,481 |
| Hourly rate | $25.60 | $23.31 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 87,800 | 5,409 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A media production specialist produces media such as films, documentaries, audio messages, or videos. The qualifications for this position are knowledge of computer software editing programs and familiarity with media production devices such as cameras, microphones, and lighting. They are expected to produce media in a variety of formats, conduct quality control, and make recommendations of equipment to be purchased to perform given tasks.
A freelance videographer/editor is responsible for processing and editing video contents, usually on a project basis. Freelance videographer/editors create their footage using their shooting equipment, utilize various design and editing software, and finish the project based on the clients' specifications and deliverables. They should also have a good grasp of digital marketing to produce impactful videos to the target audience. A freelance videographer/editor must be detail-oriented and have excellent communication skills to coordinate with the production team for content plans and perform adjustments as needed.
Media production specialists and freelance videographer/editors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Media Production Specialist | Freelance Videographer/Editor | |
| Average salary | $53,243 | $48,481 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $73,000 | Between $34,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | - |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | - |
| Best paying company | Keysight Technologies | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a media production specialist and a freelance videographer/editor in terms of educational background:
| Media Production Specialist | Freelance Videographer/Editor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Communication | Photography |
| Most common college | Stanford University | New York University |
Here are the differences between media production specialists' and freelance videographer/editors' demographics:
| Media Production Specialist | Freelance Videographer/Editor | |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% | Male, 80.0% Female, 20.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 10% |