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The differences between production managers and stage managers 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 stage manager takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a production manager has an average salary of $78,064, which is higher than the $50,142 average annual salary of a stage manager.
The top three skills for a production manager include continuous improvement, customer service and quality standards. The most important skills for a stage manager are stage management, audio equipment, and control room.
| Production Manager | Stage Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $78,064 | $50,142 |
| Hourly rate | $37.53 | $24.11 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 95,561 | 699 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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 stage manager is someone who oversees theatrical performances and all practical and technical aspects of rehearsals and shows, such as lighting cues, sound, prop usage, and costume changes. The core skills that stage managers should possess to accomplish their responsibilities include excellent attention to detail, the ability to multi-task and work under pressure, and strong leadership and problem-solving skills. They should be able to delegate tasks to staff. The job requires no formal education.
Production managers and stage managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Production Manager | Stage Manager | |
| Average salary | $78,064 | $50,142 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $120,000 | Between $32,000 And $76,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | - |
| Best paying company | Cheniere Energy | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a production manager and a stage manager in terms of educational background:
| Production Manager | Stage Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Business | Theatre |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between production managers' and stage managers' demographics:
| Production Manager | Stage Manager | |
| Average age | 46 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4% | Male, 44.3% Female, 55.7% |
| 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, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 14% |