What is a production assistant and how to become one

Q: How long does it take to become a Production Assistant?

It takes 2 years of professional experience to become a production assistant. That is the time it takes to learn specific production assistant skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

Q: Can anyone be a production assistant?

Yes, anyone can be a production assistant given the right motivation. There's no one path towards becoming a production assistant. Most production assistants work their way up in the industry and network whenever possible.

Q: Is it hard to get a production assistant job?

Yes, it is hard to get a production assistant job. Even an entry-level position, finding a production assistant gig is super competitive. To become a production assistant does not usually require educational credentials or prior experience. Rather it's all about networking. Most production assistant positions, which are considered entry-level, are based on who you know.

Q: Is production assistant a good job?

Yes, being a production assistant is a good job. While no one would say that being a production assistant is a lucrative job, it is a good job for opening the door to an exciting movie career.

Q: What degree do you need to be a production assistant?

You do not need a degree to become a production assistant. While film school is common and even advantageous, it is not specifically required for a job. Film school does provide a background for production assistants in hands-on understanding of the production process.

Q: What skills do you need to be a production assistant?

The skills needed to be a production assistant are varied, but its theme includes personality, motivation, and organization/time management capabilities. A majority of the day is spent doing odd, in-between jobs on and around the set, working within various departments, and acting as a messenger for others, so don't be afraid to ask questions.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Eric Briscoe

A production assistant is an entry-level position in the film, television, or theater industry. They provide support to the production team in various aspects, such as pre-production, on-set work, and post-production. This may include tasks like setting up equipment, running errands, managing paperwork, coordinating schedules, and assisting with casting. They must also be able to communicate effectively with various departments and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

What general advice would you give to a production assistant?

Eric Briscoe

Lecture, Morgan State University

My advice to recent graduates is to be forward thinking. This is also the time for entrepreneurial perspectives. Do not discount critical thinking. With the current world climate there are problems that need to be addressed and design and art professionals are vital visual communicators in these circumstances. Students and recent grads should rely upon their knowledge of basic design elements and principles when connecting with the public.

ScoreProduction AssistantUS Average

Salary

2.6

Avg. Salary $33,405

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.9

Growth rate -5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.37%

Asian 6.47%

Black or African American 10.99%

Hispanic or Latino 20.53%

Unknown 4.36%

White 56.29%

Gender

female 46.61%

male 53.39%

Age - 35

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 35

Stress level

4.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a production assistant?

Pros

Gain valuable industry experience
Chance to work on high-profile projects
Possible advancement to higher positions
Potential for overtime pay
Travel opportunities

Cons

Low pay in entry-level positions
Physically demanding work
Limited job security and steady employment
Frequent last-minute changes or cancellations
Lack of recognition or credit for contribution to projects

Key steps to become a production assistant

Explore production assistant education requirements

Most common production assistant degrees

Bachelor's

71.1 %

Associate

13.2 %

High School Diploma

7.9 %

Start to develop specific production assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Video Production	18.04%
Teleprompter	7.41%
Audio Board	7.05%
Purchase Orders	3.84%
Production Equipment	3.61%

Complete relevant production assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New production assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a production assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real production assistant resumes.

Gain additional production assistant certifications

Production assistant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific production assistant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for production assistants include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant.

More About Certifications

Research production assistant duties and 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.

Prepare your production assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your production assistant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a production assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable production assistant resume templates

Build a professional production assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your production assistant resume.