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The differences between stage managers and freelance producers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a stage manager and a freelance producer. Additionally, a freelance producer has an average salary of $62,218, which is higher than the $50,142 average annual salary of a stage manager.
The top three skills for a stage manager include stage management, audio equipment and control room. The most important skills for a freelance producer are music videos, news stories, and video content.
| Stage Manager | Freelance Producer | |
| Yearly salary | $50,142 | $62,218 |
| Hourly rate | $24.11 | $29.91 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 699 | 9,703 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
The responsibilities of a freelance producer are so broad that they can be tricky to define. Broadly, a freelance producer is responsible for finding, launching, and completing a project. They primarily handle logistics pertaining to the creation of various pieces of content. This content may include television shows, advertisements, or audio/video presentations. They also manage finances, keep the production within the allocated budget, and hire all key staff, crew members, and post-production teams. They may also have to scout for shoot locations.
Stage managers and freelance producers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Stage Manager | Freelance Producer | |
| Average salary | $50,142 | $62,218 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $76,000 | Between $33,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a stage manager and a freelance producer in terms of educational background:
| Stage Manager | Freelance Producer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Most common major | Theatre | Photography |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between stage managers' and freelance producers' demographics:
| Stage Manager | Freelance Producer | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.3% Female, 55.7% | Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 14% | 14% |