How Much Will an Assistant Television Producer Get Paid?

While it is easy to confuse the roles of an assistant television producer and a television production assistant, their duties are vastly different, as are their salary ranges. Assistant television producers are paid to assist producers in the development of ideas, the selection of scripts and talent and the procurement of financing. In contrast, production assistants may perform administrative tasks such as typing up scripts and running errands. Production assistant jobs are considered entry-level positions while the executive positions of assistant television producers may earn them six-figure salaries annually.

Average Salary

Producers may make extremely high earnings according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the bureau notes that the majority of producers supplement their income via other sources. The average salary of producers is $88,610 as of 2010, according to the bureau. However, in the television industry specifically, salaries are $72,030.

A Closer Look

Assistant producers are considered to be "above-the-line" personnel, meaning their duties are considered creative for budgeting reasons. As with actors and other "above-the-line" personnel, salaries for assistant producers are often negotiable. However, assistant producer positions are typically nonunion and they may earn as little as minimum wages according to Dr. George Vinovich's report on television industry personnel. He notes that assistant producers with family or friendship ties to an executive producer may be well-paid. A number of assistant producers also serve as writers on shows and are able to supplement their income. However, the Museum of Broadcast Communication notes that writers of television shows typically earn less than $50,000 annually.

Reality Shows

Reality shows are where many television jobs exist according to a July 2009 New York Times article. On reality shows an assistant or associate producer may watch footage trying to develop storylines. Their salary ranges are not as high as the salary ranges of producers working on scripted shows because of the lack of union representation for reality television producers. The article notes that those in producer positions on a reality show may earn $1,000 weekly.

By Location

Geography also plays a role in the earnings of assistant television producers. In New York City and Los Angeles, California, where most television shows are produced, producers earn six-figure salaries at $114,680 and $138,640 respectively according to the bureau. In cities such as Atlanta and Chicago, where a number of television shows are produced, including "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" and formerly "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (the show ended in May 2011), salaries are $79,230 and $71,240.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Actors, Producers and Directors
• "The New York Times" Newspaper; Television Fledgling Keeps It Real; Edward Wyatt; July 26, 2009
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Producers and Directors
• California State University, Dominguez Hills; TV Industry Personnel; George Vinovich
• Museum of Broadcast Communications: Writer in Television