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The differences between production managers and line producers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a production manager, becoming a line producer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a production manager has an average salary of $78,064, which is higher than the $46,223 average annual salary of a line producer.
The top three skills for a production manager include continuous improvement, customer service and quality standards. The most important skills for a line producer are line-producer, control room, and cross-selling.
| Production Manager | Line Producer | |
| Yearly salary | $78,064 | $46,223 |
| Hourly rate | $37.53 | $22.22 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 95,561 | 54,790 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Average age | 46 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
Production managers work in show business, whether in film, television shows, or theatre productions. They oversee the whole production and ensure that all agreements are met. They manage finances and budget allocation. They oversee the design of costumes and sets. They also manage the timeline of filming and ensure that the production or filming will finish within the agreed timeline. Production managers also ensure that all stakeholders are satisfied. They build meaningful working relationships with everyone involved, from directors to actors to crew members. They try to mitigate any potential challenges in the production budget and schedule.
A line producer is responsible for managing the production crew, ensuring that the production schedules are finished timely, and assisting the creative team. Line producers handle the budget and allocate resources accurately, following production guidelines and safety regulations. They also supervise press releases, interview schedules, and promotions to various media platforms while organizing the filming process. A line producer must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in interacting with the public and production management.
Production managers and line producers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Production Manager | Line Producer | |
| Average salary | $78,064 | $46,223 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $120,000 | Between $32,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | West Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | California |
| Best paying company | Cheniere Energy | IBC Bank |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a production manager and a line producer in terms of educational background:
| Production Manager | Line Producer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Most common major | Business | Photography |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between production managers' and line producers' demographics:
| Production Manager | Line Producer | |
| Average age | 46 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4% | Male, 50.2% Female, 49.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 5.1% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 14% |