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Producer vs freelance videographer/editor

The differences between producers and freelance videographer/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 producer, becoming a freelance videographer/editor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a producer has an average salary of $72,202, which is higher than the $48,481 average annual salary of a freelance videographer/editor.

The top three skills for a producer include work ethic, video production and client relationships. The most important skills for a freelance videographer/editor are training videos, video content, and video production.

Producer vs freelance videographer/editor overview

ProducerFreelance Videographer/Editor
Yearly salary$72,202$48,481
Hourly rate$34.71$23.31
Growth rate8%12%
Number of jobs10,6105,409
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4037
Years of experience126

What does a producer do?

A producer is an individual who is responsible for providing infrastructure, resources, and logistics in making a movie, television show, or stage production. Producers hire production staff such as director, crew, and sometimes actors to coordinate their activities throughout the production process. They support the creative team by conducting meetings to discuss the production's progress and ensure adherence to deadlines. Producers also travel often either to film on location for a movie or to tour with a theatre production.

What does a freelance videographer/editor do?

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.

Producer vs freelance videographer/editor salary

Producers and freelance videographer/editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

ProducerFreelance Videographer/Editor
Average salary$72,202$48,481
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $120,000Between $34,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateNevada-
Best paying companyMeta-
Best paying industry--

Differences between producer and freelance videographer/editor education

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

ProducerFreelance Videographer/Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorCommunicationPhotography
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityNew York University

Producer vs freelance videographer/editor demographics

Here are the differences between producers' and freelance videographer/editors' demographics:

ProducerFreelance Videographer/Editor
Average age4037
Gender ratioMale, 58.2% Female, 41.8%Male, 80.0% Female, 20.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 6.3% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%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 Percentage14%10%

Differences between producer and freelance videographer/editor duties and responsibilities

Producer example responsibilities.

  • Manage and augment existing budget with EP.
  • Manage production of a Sony HD motion graphics internal sales video.
  • Manage all union matters including, IASTE, DGA and AFTRA.
  • Prospect and generate new business through telemarketing leads, referrals, networking and cold leads.
  • Lead the creation of key titles including high profile X360 launch title and new NFL brand IP.
  • Manage and guide guest bloggers through the editing process, copy edit blogs and produce content in HTML.
  • Show more

Freelance videographer/editor example responsibilities.

  • Provide right-hand executive assistance to the editor-in-chief; manage all aspects of professional life.
  • Upload the video to YouTube and make some DVD copies for them to hand out to customers.
  • Experience in using DSLR cameras and HD video camcorders such as: Sony EX3, and Sony PMW 350K and others.
  • Edit and post the footage to the association's Facebook page.
  • Establish an online presence through the use of a Facebook page.
  • Authore and convert documents to HTML on a daily deadline-driven basis.
  • Show more

Producer vs freelance videographer/editor skills

Common producer skills
  • Work Ethic, 9%
  • Video Production, 6%
  • Client Relationships, 6%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Cross-Selling, 6%
  • News Stories, 4%
Common freelance videographer/editor skills
  • Training Videos, 38%
  • Video Content, 6%
  • Video Production, 4%
  • Camera Operation, 4%
  • Video Projects, 3%
  • Video Shoots, 3%

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