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Writer/producer vs production editor

The differences between writer/producers and production editors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a writer/producer has an average salary of $55,163, which is higher than the $53,275 average annual salary of a production editor.

The top three skills for a writer/producer include instagram, facebook and twitter. The most important skills for a production editor are proofreading, editorial production, and production process.

Writer/producer vs production editor overview

Writer/ProducerProduction Editor
Yearly salary$55,163$53,275
Hourly rate$26.52$25.61
Growth rate4%-5%
Number of jobs20,02662,877
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4244
Years of experience-4

What does a writer/producer do?

A writer/producer's work involves developing, writing, and producing engaging and entertaining scripts of news stories for television episodes or programs. Other tasks include sourcing video and audio footage for editors and working with them throughout the post-production process. The essential skills that a writer/producer should possess to accomplish his/her or her responsibilities include strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as a team and meet tight deadlines despite working on multiple projects. Other requirements to qualify for the job include obtaining a degree in journalism or a related field and prior experience in broadcast writing and producing.

What does a production editor do?

A production editor is responsible for checking publication materials before printing and distribution to ensure error-free and accurate content. Production editors must have excellent writing communication skills to perform editing and proofreading of materials efficiently, following strict requirements of publication deadlines. They also verify the resources of content, as well as identifying highly requested feature opportunities by coordinating with writers and other industry personalities. A production editor negotiates contract offers for writers, provides feedback reviews, and facilitates brainstorming sessions.

Writer/producer vs production editor salary

Writer/producers and production editors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Writer/ProducerProduction Editor
Average salary$55,163$53,275
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $83,000Between $41,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City-Hartford, CT
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Robert A.M. Stern Architects
Best paying industry-Media

Differences between writer/producer and production editor education

There are a few differences between a writer/producer and a production editor in terms of educational background:

Writer/ProducerProduction Editor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorCommunicationEnglish
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityNorthwestern University

Writer/producer vs production editor demographics

Here are the differences between writer/producers' and production editors' demographics:

Writer/ProducerProduction Editor
Average age4244
Gender ratioMale, 62.0% Female, 38.0%Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 4.9% White, 75.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 76.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%12%

Differences between writer/producer and production editor duties and responsibilities

Writer/producer example responsibilities.

  • Manage Comcast's local channels and their content throughout central Indiana.
  • Coordinate and manage show production, including budget creation, scriptwriting and booking guest for on camera interviews.
  • Supervise casting and communicate with producer to access props, costumes, and set pieces and to manage the budget.
  • Manage day-to-day completion activities including project planning and QA testing.
  • Work closely with the founder to create an internet comedy channel on YouTube.
  • Air on ABC, NBC, CBS, WOR and PBS.
  • Show more

Production editor example responsibilities.

  • Manage integration and implementation of site search and train staff on strategic SEO and web best practices.
  • Manage research and identification of all clips and pictures used in the documentary for the purpose of credit and compensation.
  • Typeset editorial content and manage paste-up board production.
  • Boost usability by managing content migration to iApps, leading maintenance & data/functionality QA.
  • Assume full editorial responsibility when editor are unavailable, including managing social media accounts and assigning content to freelancers and photographers.
  • Update online versions of books using UNIX, HTML, and XML technologies.
  • Show more

Writer/producer vs production editor skills

Common writer/producer skills
  • Instagram, 13%
  • Facebook, 9%
  • Twitter, 9%
  • Control Room, 8%
  • Video Production, 5%
  • Web Content, 5%
Common production editor skills
  • Proofreading, 15%
  • Editorial Production, 9%
  • Production Process, 9%
  • Production Schedules, 5%
  • Fiction, 4%
  • Adobe Indesign, 4%

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