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Production assistant/editor vs freelance videographer/editor

The differences between production assistant/editors 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 production assistant/editor, becoming a freelance videographer/editor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a production assistant/editor has an average salary of $50,759, which is higher than the $48,481 average annual salary of a freelance videographer/editor.

The top three skills for a production assistant/editor include adobe photoshop, photography and audio board. The most important skills for a freelance videographer/editor are training videos, video content, and video production.

Production assistant/editor vs freelance videographer/editor overview

Production Assistant/EditorFreelance Videographer/Editor
Yearly salary$50,759$48,481
Hourly rate$24.40$23.31
Growth rate-5%12%
Number of jobs61,5095,409
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4437
Years of experience46

What does a production assistant/editor do?

Production assistants/editors are individuals with skills in communication, adaptability, organization, and administration. They also possess a healthy dose of enthusiasm and perseverance and the ability to work well under pressure. This career choice calls for assisting directors of film and television in collecting and organizing elements needed to edit the film, and overseeing the various lists and instructions needed for putting the film into its final form.

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.

Production assistant/editor vs freelance videographer/editor salary

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

Production Assistant/EditorFreelance Videographer/Editor
Average salary$50,759$48,481
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $74,000Between $34,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between production assistant/editor and freelance videographer/editor education

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

Production Assistant/EditorFreelance Videographer/Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorPhotographyPhotography
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNew York University

Production assistant/editor vs freelance videographer/editor demographics

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

Production Assistant/EditorFreelance Videographer/Editor
Average age4437
Gender ratioMale, 48.1% Female, 51.9%Male, 80.0% Female, 20.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 76.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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 Percentage12%10%

Differences between production assistant/editor and freelance videographer/editor duties and responsibilities

Production assistant/editor example responsibilities.

  • Develop SEO strategies to increase profitability and manage social media to spread brand awareness and bolster readership.
  • Promote to improve design consistency of the daily metro sections.
  • Monitor internal systems for media requests, including tape and DVD duplication, encoding and file management.
  • Assist with filming and editing for a friend's YouTube channel covering inspirational minutes for community organization.
  • Develop proof-of-concept project for DVD proposal.
  • Utilize content management systems and SEO metadata to provide quality finish VOD products to both domestic and international customers.
  • 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

Production assistant/editor vs freelance videographer/editor skills

Common production assistant/editor skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 9%
  • Photography, 7%
  • Audio Board, 7%
  • Video Production, 6%
  • Teleprompter, 5%
  • Adobe Premiere, 5%
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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