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Production designer vs cinematographer

The differences between production designers and cinematographers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cinematographer has an average salary of $72,245, which is higher than the $54,760 average annual salary of a production designer.

The top three skills for a production designer include sketch, graphic design and adobe creative suite. The most important skills for a cinematographer are video production, cinema, and music videos.

Production designer vs cinematographer overview

Production DesignerCinematographer
Yearly salary$54,760$72,245
Hourly rate$26.33$34.73
Growth rate3%12%
Number of jobs96,6825,748
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3837
Years of experience12-

Production designer vs cinematographer salary

Production designers and cinematographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Production DesignerCinematographer
Average salary$54,760$72,245
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $82,000Between $43,000 And $118,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyMeta-
Best paying industryInternet-

Differences between production designer and cinematographer education

There are a few differences between a production designer and a cinematographer in terms of educational background:

Production DesignerCinematographer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorGraphic DesignPhotography
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaJohns Hopkins University

Production designer vs cinematographer demographics

Here are the differences between production designers' and cinematographers' demographics:

Production DesignerCinematographer
Average age3837
Gender ratioMale, 55.4% Female, 44.6%Male, 85.3% Female, 14.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 7.1% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage13%10%

Differences between production designer and cinematographer duties and responsibilities

Production designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage website redesign including copywriting and updating all website content.
  • Migrate HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and XML content from outside sources into content management system.
  • Edit existing PowerPoint slides to enhance the corporate message.
  • Create 3D files and renderings for packaging using SolidWorks and KeyShot.
  • Hire by Collins as a design liaison between Collins and Facebook design teams.
  • Develop and maintain company website and social presence on Facebook, LinkedIn and other networks.
  • Show more

Cinematographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage equipment setup and on-site DVD sales.
  • Manage all principal photography and editing.
  • Used DSLR, macro, and underwater camera equipment to film wildlife in wood settings.
  • Create promotional videos for viewing on the Lily.B website, Facebook, YouTube, and other social networking sites.
  • Work together with DP Brian Hwang
  • Produce documentaries, reality shows and live events.
  • Show more

Production designer vs cinematographer skills

Common production designer skills
  • Sketch, 11%
  • Graphic Design, 10%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 9%
  • Digital Marketing, 4%
  • HTML, 4%
  • Adobe Indesign, 4%
Common cinematographer skills
  • Video Production, 15%
  • Cinema, 11%
  • Music Videos, 11%
  • DSLR, 10%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 7%
  • Photography, 6%

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