What Does A Producer Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

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.

Salary
$96690
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality


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

Average

Is this job meaningful

Low

67% said they were satisfied with their job and 43% said they found their job meaningful.


Freelance

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


ABDU Entertainment

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


Self-employed

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


McGrew Studios

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

$96690 per year

Average hourly wage

$46 per hour

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

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
10%

40 hours
31%

More than 40 hours
59%

Working schedule

57%

43%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
4%

Every day
96%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
3%

Every day
93%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
97%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
26%

Once a year
15%

Once a month
8%

Once a week
31%

Every day
19%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
3%

Slightly competitive
0%

Moderately competitive
24%

Highly competitive
32%

Extremely competitive
40%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
12%

Once a year or more
11%

Once a month or more
4%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
74%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
55%

Once a year or more
28%

Once a month or more
11%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
6%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
34%

Once a year or more
56%

Once a month or more
3%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
6%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
46%

Once a year or more
34%

Once a month or more
14%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
6%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Hard
You will need a considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require a Bachelor’s degree and several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. Similar careers include Database Administrators, Chemists, Art Directors, and Accountants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
6%

Post-Secondary Certificate
11%

Some College Courses
5%

Associate’s Degree or similar
10%

Bachelor’s Degree
53%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
15%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Theatre/Theatre Arts Management

A program that prepares individuals to apply business management principles to the management of theatres and production corporations. Includes instruction in theatrical production, theatre design and planning, fund-raising and promotion, investment strategies, human resources management, theatre operations management, marketing, public relations, financial management and insurance, and applicable laws and regulations.

Documentary Production

A program that prepares individuals to produce nonfiction film and video. Includes instruction in film and video writing, directing, and production; film studies; history of the documentary; research techniques; videography; editing; and business aspects of film production.

Cinematography and Film/Video Production

A program that prepares individuals to communicate dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the making and producing of films and videos. Includes instruction in theory of film, film technology and equipment operation, film production, film directing, film editing, cinematographic art, film audio, techniques for making specific types of films and/or videos, media technologies, computer image making, multi-media production, and the planning and management of film/video operations.


Film/Cinema/Media Studies

A program in the visual arts that focuses on the study of the history, development, theory, and criticism of the film/media arts, as well as the basic principles of filmmaking and film production.

Theatre and Dance

A program of study that focuses on integrating the studies of dance and theatre arts to provide perspectives in all facets of production, performance, and critical engagement. Includes instruction in acting, aesthetics, choreography, costume design, criticism, dance, improvisation, music analysis, playwriting, theatre performance history, scene design, stage lighting, and technical theatre.


Musical Theatre

A program that focuses on the principles and techniques for integrating theatre, music, and dance into a unified production. Includes instruction in acting, dance, voice, technical theater, musical genres, piano, and history of musical theater.

Directing and Theatrical Production

A program that prepares individuals to manage the planning, design, preparation, and production of plays and other theatrical entertainment programs. Includes instruction in theatrical design, program management, dramatic production, rehearsal management, personnel management and casting, actor coaching, directing concepts and techniques, theater history, scene work, script interpretation, business management, marketing, public relations, and communications skills.

Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts

A program that focuses on the general study of dramatic works and their performance. Includes instruction in major works of dramatic literature, dramatic styles and types, and the principles of organizing and producing full live or filmed productions.


Radio and Television

A program that focuses on the theories, methods, and techniques used to plan, produce, and distribute audio and video programs and messages, and that prepares individuals to function as staff, producers, directors, and managers of radio and television shows and media organizations. Includes instruction in media aesthetics; planning, scheduling, and production; writing and editing; performing and directing; personnel and facilities management; marketing and distribution; media regulations, law, and policy; and principles of broadcast technology.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
0%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
3%

6 months to 1 year
28%

1 to 2 years
25%

2 to 4 years
22%

4 to 6 years
0%

6 to 8 years
23%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
4%

1 month
39%

1 to 3 months
23%

3 to 6 months
9%

6 months to 1 year
0%

1 to 2 years
11%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
15%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Leader

People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.

The Builder
19%

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.


The Thinker
14%

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.


The Artist
81%

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.


The Helper
43%

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.


The Leader
95%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
48%

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?

Achievement
86%

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.

Working Conditions
74%

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.

Recognition
86%

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.

Relationships
71%

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.

Support
43%

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.

Independence
86%

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.

FAQ


Don’t know which career to pursue?

Take the career quiz to find careers that match your personality type.

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