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The differences between production assistants and runners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a production assistant has an average salary of $33,405, which is higher than the $33,320 average annual salary of a runner.
The top three skills for a production assistant include video production, teleprompter and audio board. The most important skills for a runner are food service, basic math, and math.
| Production Assistant | Runner | |
| Yearly salary | $33,405 | $33,320 |
| Hourly rate | $16.06 | $16.02 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 51,905 | 15,501 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 38 | 45 |
| 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 runner is considered as a general assistant who works under the direction of a producer and other production staff to do basic works such as answering the phone or making arrangements for staff on locations in the broadcasting and film industry. The role of a runner is to ensure that the production process is running smoothly. A runner should possess a lot of skills, such as excellent time management and teamwork. A bachelor or postgraduate degree is not required for being a runner.
Production assistants and runners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Production Assistant | Runner | |
| Average salary | $33,405 | $33,320 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $44,000 | Between $26,000 And $41,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bristol, CT | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | National Football League | Virginia Eye Institute |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a production assistant and a runner in terms of educational background:
| Production Assistant | Runner | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Communication | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between production assistants' and runners' demographics:
| Production Assistant | Runner | |
| Average age | 38 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.4% Female, 46.6% | Male, 63.7% Female, 36.3% |
| 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, 9.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 13.3% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 7% |