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Stage manager vs senior producer

The differences between stage managers and senior 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 senior producer. Additionally, a senior producer has an average salary of $112,393, 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 senior producer are project management, video production, and facebook.

Stage manager vs senior producer overview

Stage ManagerSenior Producer
Yearly salary$50,142$112,393
Hourly rate$24.11$54.04
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs69910,191
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Average age4040
Years of experience1212

What does a stage manager do?

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.

What does a senior producer do?

A Senior Producer is responsible for the management of creative digital projects, as well as delegating various duties to the team. They pay particular detail to budget, staffing and talent, including casting, scripting, and the legal and logistic affairs of the production.

Stage manager vs senior producer salary

Stage managers and senior producers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Stage ManagerSenior Producer
Average salary$50,142$112,393
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $76,000Between $73,000 And $170,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Nevada
Best paying company-Lifetime
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between stage manager and senior producer education

There are a few differences between a stage manager and a senior producer in terms of educational background:

Stage ManagerSenior Producer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Most common majorTheatreCommunication
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyHarvard University

Stage manager vs senior producer demographics

Here are the differences between stage managers' and senior producers' demographics:

Stage ManagerSenior Producer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 44.3% Female, 55.7%Male, 59.6% Female, 40.4%
Race ratioBlack 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, 7.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 6.3% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage14%14%

Differences between stage manager and senior producer duties and responsibilities

Stage manager example responsibilities.

  • Direct and manage production of plays in company's annual Shakespeare festival.
  • Manage team of developers to create web-base learning and support applications using ColdFusion, SQL, SharePoint, DreamWeaver.
  • Host all backstage tours for the public and VIP's.
  • Work on ASM for summer season for this company.
  • Organize and regulate rehearsals in NYC and Los Angeles.
  • Assist Neisha Folkes in rehearsals of children for musical Annie Jr.
  • Show more

Senior producer example responsibilities.

  • Utilize Basecamp and JIRA to manage communications.
  • Manage local NYC staff and off site personnel.
  • Manage the day to day operations of high end NYC audio studio.
  • Manage all stages of creative for promotion of WETA and national PBS programming.
  • Oversee and manage digital projects within JIRA, EAS, Smartsheet, and Sharepoint.
  • Manage internal and client status calls, timelines, and key milestones via Basecamp.
  • Show more

Stage manager vs senior producer skills

Common stage manager skills
  • Stage Management, 9%
  • Audio Equipment, 9%
  • Control Room, 8%
  • Technical Aspects, 8%
  • Technical Rehearsals, 7%
  • Rehearsal Schedules, 4%
Common senior producer skills
  • Project Management, 10%
  • Video Production, 7%
  • Facebook, 5%
  • Digital Content, 4%
  • Production Process, 4%
  • QA, 4%

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