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Product development assistant vs production assistant

The differences between product development assistants and 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 $33,405 average annual salary of a production assistant.

The top three skills for a product development assistant include tech packs, PLM and data entry. The most important skills for a production assistant are video production, teleprompter, and audio board.

Product development assistant vs production assistant overview

Product Development AssistantProduction Assistant
Yearly salary$56,426$33,405
Hourly rate$27.13$16.06
Growth rate19%-5%
Number of jobs110,49651,905
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
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 production assistant do?

Production assistants are employees in show business, working behind the scenes. They work in film, television, or even theatre sets primarily to provide support. They usually work directly under directors or producers. Production assistants are responsible for ensuring that the day will run smoothly, be it for a television or film shoot or a performance at the theatre. They should be familiar with all the scenes, ensure that the cast and crew are ready, and cue them when it is their time to go on. They should also be able to anticipate needs that may arise and should be able to quickly mitigate any challenges. Production assistants should be flexible and have quick decision-making skills.

Product development assistant vs production assistant salary

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

Product Development AssistantProduction Assistant
Average salary$56,426$33,405
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $78,000Between $25,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City-Bristol, CT
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-National Football League
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between product development assistant and production assistant education

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

Product Development AssistantProduction Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorSpecialized Sales And MerchandisingCommunication
Most common college--

Product development assistant vs production assistant demographics

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

Product Development AssistantProduction Assistant
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 22.8% Female, 77.2%Male, 53.4% Female, 46.6%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 6.5% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between product development assistant and 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

Production assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage customer accounts using Quickbooks.
  • Manage cross-departmental communication and collaboration to increase ESPN viewers.
  • Manage QA process including test/debug cycles and platform compliance/compatibility testing.
  • Manage all office aspects including general administrative duties and assisting with staff payroll.
  • Manage client photography house accounts and submissions, including calculating usage rights and licensing royalty-free and rights-manage images.
  • Manage and refine the metadata system for a photography database -communicate with customers over e-mail with regards to advertisement proofs
  • Show more

Product development assistant vs 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 production assistant skills
  • Video Production, 18%
  • Teleprompter, 7%
  • Audio Board, 7%
  • Purchase Orders, 4%
  • Production Equipment, 4%
  • Photography, 4%

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