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The differences between video journalists and freelance 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 video journalist, becoming a freelance producer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a video journalist has an average salary of $68,280, which is higher than the $62,218 average annual salary of a freelance producer.
The top three skills for a video journalist include story development, adobe premiere and video content. The most important skills for a freelance producer are music videos, news stories, and video content.
| Video Journalist | Freelance Producer | |
| Yearly salary | $68,280 | $62,218 |
| Hourly rate | $32.83 | $29.91 |
| Growth rate | -10% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 7,141 | 9,703 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
Video journalists make videos conveying the news and factual stories for the audiences. Their day-to-day duties may vary but typically include editing, researching, and reporting, developing and planning live or taped video segments, and compiling data from various sources. In addition, a video journalist is responsible for verifying facts, interviewing subjects, and cultivating relationships and sources. Other duties that a video journalist might perform include on-the-spot reporting, anchoring a newscast, and producing content, and taking photos.
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.
Video journalists and freelance producers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Video Journalist | Freelance Producer | |
| Average salary | $68,280 | $62,218 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $112,000 | Between $33,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | - |
| Highest paying state | New York | - |
| Best paying company | The New York Times Company | - |
| Best paying industry | Media | - |
There are a few differences between a video journalist and a freelance producer in terms of educational background:
| Video Journalist | Freelance Producer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Most common major | Communication | Photography |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between video journalists' and freelance producers' demographics:
| Video Journalist | Freelance Producer | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.5% Female, 35.5% | Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 9.6% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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 | 10% | 14% |