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Product development assistant vs freelance production assistant

The differences between product development assistants and freelance production assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a product development assistant has an average salary of $56,426, which is higher than the $35,255 average annual salary of a freelance production assistant.

The top three skills for a product development assistant include tech packs, PLM and data entry. The most important skills for a freelance production assistant are network programming, music videos, and video production.

Product development assistant vs freelance production assistant overview

Product Development AssistantFreelance Production Assistant
Yearly salary$56,426$35,255
Hourly rate$27.13$16.95
Growth rate19%10%
Number of jobs110,49652,320
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does a product development assistant do?

Product development assistants are required to possess communication and teamwork skills, as well as familiarity with computer drawing and drafting applications and drafting experience. They are usually called upon to create customer product manuals, conduct research into how to improve products, and the testing of new product prototypes.

What does a freelance production assistant do?

A freelance production assistant performs support tasks for television and film production crews during production stages. Their responsibilities typically include disseminating materials to various crew members, gathering props, coordinating with caterers and other contractors, preparing and cleaning sets, and running errands as needed. There are also instances where they may process documents, travel to various locations, and assist performers. Moreover, a freelance production assistant must maintain an active communication line with the entire production team to maintain a smooth and efficient workflow.

Product development assistant vs freelance production assistant salary

Product development assistants and freelance production assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Product Development AssistantFreelance Production Assistant
Average salary$56,426$35,255
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $78,000Between $25,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between product development assistant and freelance production assistant education

There are a few differences between a product development assistant and a freelance production assistant in terms of educational background:

Product Development AssistantFreelance Production Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorSpecialized Sales And MerchandisingPhotography
Most common college--

Product development assistant vs freelance production assistant demographics

Here are the differences between product development assistants' and freelance production assistants' demographics:

Product Development AssistantFreelance Production Assistant
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 22.8% Female, 77.2%Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 24.4% Asian, 11.2% White, 49.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between product development assistant and freelance production assistant duties and responsibilities

Product development assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage vendor and supplier communications, project deadlines, pricing negotiations, production and QA testing.
  • Prepare costing reports via PLM for management review.
  • Review overseas fabric quality and track status in PLM system.
  • Update WIP reports for department meetings with design and merchandising.
  • Create sketch books for all garments prior to market to facilitate sales.
  • Utilize FlexPLM to ensure accurate entry of color components from design generate BOM post style review.
  • Show more

Freelance production assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage and refine the metadata system for a photography database -communicate with customers over e-mail with regards to advertisement proofs
  • Edit and render concerts for online publishing on YouTube and Vimeo.
  • Assist crew members with load-in/load-out between Brooklyn office and various NYC event locations.
  • Design, construct and install commercial sets for high end fashion retailers around NYC
  • Log b-roll, pitch stories and guests, and research stories using Lexis Nexis.
  • Assist video editors in creating highlight packages for MLB, NFL and WNBA games.
  • Show more

Product development assistant vs freelance production assistant skills

Common product development assistant skills
  • Tech Packs, 10%
  • PLM, 8%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • WIP, 6%
  • Overseas Vendors, 6%
  • Product Specifications, 5%
Common freelance production assistant skills
  • Network Programming, 18%
  • Music Videos, 14%
  • Video Production, 11%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 8%
  • Production Assistance, 5%
  • Audio Equipment, 5%

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