How to hire a video production specialist

How to hire a video production specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step video production specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a video production specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new video production specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a video production specialist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a video production specialist, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A video production specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, video production specialists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents video production specialist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Video Production Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Video Production Specialist	Broadcast and sound engineering technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electrical equipment for radio programs, television broadcasts, concerts, sound recordings, and movies.	$11-26
   Photographer, Editor	A Photographer, Editor selects, edits, and positions photos in print and web publications. They work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other publications.	$17-34
   Freelance Photographer	A freelance photographer produces photos while under a specific short-term contract. They are primarily responsible for coordinating with the client to learn any requests or preferences, bringing necessary devices and lighting equipment, securing the best location and setting, handling any obstruction during the photoshoot, and delivering high-quality results in a short amount of time... Show more	$13-29

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Video Content
   • Adobe Photoshop
   • Motion Graphics
   • Adobe Premiere
   • Photography
   • Video Projects
   • Apple
   • Animation
   • Premiere Pro
   • B-Roll
   • Adobe Creative Suite
   • Video
   • Graphic Design
   • Audio Equipment

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Utilize a CMS to manage digital assets and develop the proper HTML coding for distribution requests.
   • Design and maintain CHS YouTube channel.
   • Align and calibrate Audio/Video projection booths on a monthly basis.
   • Inspect and test equipment after installation to troubleshoot audio/video/connection problems.
   • Receive VTC system reservation requirements from authorize officials/organizations and schedule conferences.
   • Increase audience retention levels using YouTube analytics data and creating focuse content.

   More video production specialist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your video production specialist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A video production specialist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, video production specialists' average salary in kentucky is 63% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level video production specialists 59% less than senior-level video production specialists.
   • Certifications. A video production specialist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a video production specialist's salary.

   Average video production specialist salary

   $36,176yearly

   $17.39 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level video production specialist salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average video production specialist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$64,208	$31
   2	Connecticut	$55,493	$27
   3	New Jersey	$49,497	$24
   4	Massachusetts	$49,305	$24
   5	New York	$47,269	$23
   6	Maryland	$45,427	$22
   7	Washington	$39,289	$19
   8	Pennsylvania	$36,784	$18
   9	Illinois	$34,790	$17
   10	Virginia	$33,825	$16
   11	Colorado	$33,328	$16
   12	Missouri	$32,458	$16
   13	Kansas	$31,078	$15
   14	Indiana	$29,822	$14
   15	Arizona	$29,808	$14
   16	North Carolina	$29,579	$14
   17	Nebraska	$29,517	$14
   18	Florida	$27,856	$13
   19	Texas	$26,512	$13
   20	Mississippi	$24,865	$12

   Average video production specialist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Citi	$63,949	$30.74	5
   2	UC Santa Barbara	$55,008	$26.45
   3	City Of Kirkland	$46,617	$22.41
   4	City of Austin	$46,222	$22.22
   5	Advanced Systems Group	$46,141	$22.18	1
   6	Catapult Systems	$45,391	$21.82
   7	L3Harris	$42,530	$20.45	33
   8	Johnson County Community College	$40,234	$19.34
   9	University of Nebraska System	$39,943	$19.20
   10	Medifast	$38,073	$18.30
   11	City of St. Louis	$37,812	$18.18	1
   12	EMD Millipore	$37,472	$18.02
   13	Amazon	$36,800	$17.69	39
   14	Norwegian Cruise Line	$36,432	$17.52
   15	Loma Linda University	$36,340	$17.47
   16	County Of Los Angeles Public Library	$34,948	$16.80
   17	PCG SERVICES	$34,393	$16.54
   18	The Glass Guru	$34,205	$16.44
   19	Freedom Park	$34,159	$16.42
   20	Monster Beverage	$34,034	$16.36	1

4. Writing a video production specialist job description

   A job description for a video production specialist role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a video production specialist job description:

   Video production specialist job description example

   Cisco Secure
   
   Are you passionate about visual storytelling and have an eye for outstanding work? Do you get excited redefining sophisticated ideas into engaging stories that make an emotional connection with your audience? We're looking for a creative video content creator with experience producing documentaries, explainer videos, product commercials, and social media content, who has a strong understanding of how technology impacts the video production world and is enthusiastic about working within a group of creative professionals.
   
   What You'll Do
   
   Provide direction and leadership for activities involved in editing and finishing audio and visual content and features to be delivered by web, broadcast, streaming, or other media forms. Craft motion graphic elements as a part of the video editorial process. Handle material such as camera footage, dialogue, sound effects, graphics and special effects to produce a final film or video product. Work with art and creative teams to select audio, video, colors, and animation, for graphic designs. Work with creative leadership to resolve content needs and specifications. Coordinate resources and assets to ensure that content is produced and delivered on time and in accordance with established requirements. Facilitate the expediting of project progress in every way possible. You should possess a detailed understanding of the latest video tools, trends and technology.
   
   Who You'll Work With
   
   We are the Cisco Secure story and media team that is part of a larger brand team for Cisco Secure. We're a multi-functional team of media artists, writers, and employer brand specialists who intentionally craft and maintain an inclusive team environment. A team that values and respects each others' work ethic, individual working styles, and outstanding abilities believes in each other to accomplish what is vital to making the business successful. You'll collaborate with a wide variety of teams, from industry specialists, content marketers, and brand managers throughout the business.
   
   Who You Are
   
   You love collaboration and receiving constructive feedback - and you're open to experimentation and an iterative way of working. You work without ego. You can adapt to change and modify processes to meet the moment. You're motivated by continuous learning opportunities for you, your peers, and your teammates.You have a passion for technology and emerging trends. You enjoy interacting with different personalities, skill levels, levels of seniority, and across other subject areas. You have strong technical skills and shown ability to use a variety of software (Photoshop, Premiere Pro, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve).
   
   Qualifications
   
   * You've been producing video content for many years.
   
   * You've worked within a professional environment for 2-4+ years.
   
   * You have shown experience in a creative profession like cinematography, video production and animation.
   
   * You are comfortable working both independently and within a team.
   
   * You have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in on-the-job training in the media field.
   
   Why Cisco?
   
   #WeAreCisco, where each person is unique, but we bring our talents to work as a team and make a difference powering an inclusive future for all.
   
   We embrace digital, and help our customers implement change in their digital businesses. Some may think we're "old" (36 years strong) and only about hardware, but we're also a software company. And a security company. We even invented an intuitive network that adapts, predicts, learns and protects. No other company can do what we do - you can't put us in a box!
   
   But "Digital Transformation" is an empty buzz phrase without a culture that allows for innovation, creativity, and yes, even failure (if you learn from it.)
   
   Day to day, we focus on the give and take. We give our best, give our egos a break, and give of ourselves (because giving back is built into our DNA.) We take accountability, bold steps, and take difference to heart. Because without diversity of thought and a dedication to equality for all, there is no moving forward.
   
   So, you have colorful hair? Don't care. Tattoos? Show off your ink. Like polka dots? That's cool. Pop culture geek? Many of us are. Passion for technology and world changing? Be you, with us!
   
   Cisco is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.
   
   Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find video production specialists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any video production specialists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level video production specialists with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your video production specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit video production specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit video production specialists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new video production specialist

   Once you've decided on a perfect video production specialist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new video production specialist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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