Post job

Production designer vs director of photography

The differences between production designers and directors of photography can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a director of photography has an average salary of $105,236, 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 director of photography are video projects, DP, and adobe photoshop.

Production designer vs director of photography overview

Production DesignerDirector Of Photography
Yearly salary$54,760$105,236
Hourly rate$26.33$50.59
Growth rate3%12%
Number of jobs96,6825,746
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age3837
Years of experience12-

Production designer vs director of photography salary

Production designers and directors of photography have different pay scales, as shown below.

Production DesignerDirector Of Photography
Average salary$54,760$105,236
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $82,000Between $71,000 And $153,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyMetaGap Inc.
Best paying industryInternet-

Differences between production designer and director of photography education

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

Production DesignerDirector Of Photography
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorGraphic DesignPhotography
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaJohns Hopkins University

Production designer vs director of photography demographics

Here are the differences between production designers' and directors of photography' demographics:

Production DesignerDirector Of Photography
Average age3837
Gender ratioMale, 55.4% Female, 44.6%Male, 79.7% Female, 20.3%
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, 18.0% Asian, 7.1% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage13%10%

Differences between production designer and director of photography 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

Director of photography example responsibilities.

  • Manage all photography assets for a slate of Showtime original series, documentaries and sports programming.
  • Coordinate and manage show production, including budget creation, scriptwriting and booking guest for on camera interviews.
  • Act as the gaffer and grip.
  • Provide services for YouTube album music releases.
  • Organize camera, electrical and grip crews.
  • Direct the gaffer to meet establish lighting strategy.
  • Show more

Production designer vs director of photography skills

Common production designer skills
  • Sketch, 11%
  • Graphic Design, 10%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 9%
  • Digital Marketing, 4%
  • HTML, 4%
  • Adobe Indesign, 4%
Common director of photography skills
  • Video Projects, 28%
  • DP, 20%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 6%
  • Sony, 5%
  • Video Production, 3%
  • Cinematography, 3%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs