Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Producers
Producers plan and coordinate various aspects of radio, television, stage, or motion picture production, such as selecting script, coordinating writing, directing and editing, and arranging financing.
Table of contents
What they do
Producers plan and coordinate various aspects of radio, television, stage, or motion picture production, such as selecting script, coordinating writing, directing and editing, and arranging financing.
- Write and edit news stories from information collected by reporters and other sources.
- Hire directors, principal cast members, and key production staff members.
- Arrange financing for productions.
- Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Producers write and edit news stories from information collected by reporters and other sources. They determine and direct the content of radio programming.
A typical day for a Producer will also include:
- Research production topics using the internet, video archives, and other informational sources.
- Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
- Monitor postproduction processes to ensure accurate completion of details.
- Arrange financing for productions.
- Perform management activities, such as budgeting, scheduling, planning, and marketing.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Producers also negotiate contracts with artistic personnel, often in accordance with collective bargaining agreements. They may also obtain rights to scripts or to such items as existing video footage.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Producers plan and coordinate the production of musical recordings, selecting music, and directing performers. They might also review film, recordings, or rehearsals to ensure conformance to production and broadcast standards.
In addition, they arrange financing for productions.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them determine production size, content, and budget, establishing details such as production schedules and management policies.
To some Producers, it is also their responsibility to negotiate with parties, including independent producers and the distributors and broadcasters who will be handling completed productions.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
67% said they were satisfied with their job and 43% said they found their job meaningful.
I am a Freelance Producer for TV, Film, and Live Events. My Typical Day Because I am a freelance producer the project or show I am working on is always changing, which to me is the fun part! Sometimes you are in pre-production where you are busy gathering together all the logistics, making sure casting … Read More
Film making is 85% pre-production. (Ex: selecting a location, casting, budget, wardrobe, props, to having the right extras on set. Having the right script, cast, locations based on weather, props, negotiated contracts, & permits if you need them, can take months). A typical “day in the life” of a producer could be days to months … Read More
As a Producer for Film, TV and Events my days are so wildly different, the normal is expecting the unexpected. I produce for multiple streaming networks, however, the main network I work with keeps me the busiest because we produce multiple events a week, LIVE TV and now films. We have upgraded our technology and … Read More
My name is Phillip A. Barbb and I am a freelance Supervising Producer. I have also worked as a: Producer, Field Producer, Story Producer, Development Producer, Casting Producer. I’m a 2x Emmy®-nominated TV Producer with over 12 years of reality TV experience working on projects with Netflix, FOX, CBS, Facebook Watch, Youtube Red, E!, USA, … Read More
Being a filmmaker allows me to have many facets of a career. I am able to use both sides of my brain because one-third of my time is spent doing the “business” side of the film while the other two-thirds are spent as a creative making movies. I get to interact with fellow artists and … Read More
I work as a producer as well as a costume and production designer. Have been doing this since about 1991. My Typical Day During pre-production days, I’m analyzing and breaking down scripts, designing, researching, and sourcing items for costumes, props, and sets, or the “worlds” of the film. I talk with the director as much … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.
Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.
It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Producers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $36,070 to $51,760 per year or $17 to $25 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $184,660 | $89 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $118,020 | $57 |
| Median | $76,400 | $37 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $51,760 | $25 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $36,070 | $17 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Producers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Specialized Design Services | $137880 | $66.29 |
| Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | $133010 | $63.95 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $122580 | $58.93 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | $115200 | $55.38 |
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | $113860 | $54.74 |
| Rental and Leasing Services | $109810 | $52.80 |
| Grantmaking and Giving Services | $109120 | $52.46 |
| Software Publishers | $105550 | $50.75 |
| Employment Services | $102850 | $49.45 |
| Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets | $101600 | $48.85 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Producers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Producers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | 38420 | $113860 | $54.74 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | 31840 | $80390 | $38.65 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | 8010 | $115200 | $55.38 |
| Performing Arts Companies | 5080 | $70180 | $33.74 |
| Other Information Services | 4070 | $93270 | $44.84 |
| Cable and Other Subscription Programming | 3780 | $92910 | $44.67 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 3420 | $67170 | $32.30 |
| Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | 3310 | $133010 | $63.95 |
| Software Publishers | 1850 | $105550 | $50.75 |
| Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events | 1690 | $71450 | $34.35 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Theatre/Theatre Arts Management
Documentary Production
Cinematography and Film/Video Production
Film/Cinema/Media Studies
Theatre and Dance
Musical Theatre
Directing and Theatrical Production
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts
Radio and Television
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.
They also like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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