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The differences between production assistants and freelance production assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a freelance production assistant has an average salary of $35,255, which is higher than the $33,405 average annual salary of a production assistant.
The top three skills for a production assistant include video production, teleprompter and audio board. The most important skills for a freelance production assistant are network programming, music videos, and video production.
| Production Assistant | Freelance Production Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $33,405 | $35,255 |
| Hourly rate | $16.06 | $16.95 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 51,905 | 52,320 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
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.
Production assistants and freelance production assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Production Assistant | Freelance Production Assistant | |
| Average salary | $33,405 | $35,255 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $44,000 | Between $25,000 And $49,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bristol, CT | - |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | - |
| Best paying company | National Football League | - |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a production assistant and a freelance production assistant in terms of educational background:
| Production Assistant | Freelance Production Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | Communication | Photography |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between production assistants' and freelance production assistants' demographics:
| Production Assistant | Freelance Production Assistant | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.4% Female, 46.6% | Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 9% | 9% |