What is a producer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Johnathan Paul
introduction image

Producers work for the entertainment industry. They secure resources and coordinate logistical arrangements for the making of a film, television show, or theatre performance. They make sure production expenses do not go over the budget, that deliverables are ready on time, and the finished products meet the expectations of investors.

They are responsible for hiring staff, coordinating creative work, preparing and presenting funding applications, monitoring and approving post-production work, and performing managerial tasks such as scheduling, planning work phases, and taking care of the marketing of the completed product.

If you want to be a producer, you should start with a college education in film or theatre or cultural management. It is not obligatory, though. Being a producer is all about finding creative ways to get something done, and there is never one path that always works. Many actors, writers, or other creative people who are now producers just started working on their own personal projects and discovered the know-how along the way.

What general advice would you give to a Producer?

J

Johnathan PaulJohnathan Paul LinkedIn Profile

Adjunct Professor, University of North Texas

My number one piece of advice for soon-to-be or recent graduates is never to stop learning. I always strive to tell my students to be as diverse as possible. Don't just know one thing; in today's market, you need to know how to do several things. Diversify your tool palette. This will help you in the long run and may lead you to a career path you didn't realize existed.
ScoreProducerUS Average
Salary
5.6

Avg. Salary $72,202

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
9.2

Growth Rate 8%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 6.34%

Black or African American 7.84%

Hispanic or Latino 14.41%

Unknown 5.57%

White 65.66%

Gender

female 41.84%

male 58.16%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39
Stress Level
9.2

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
9.8

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
2.8

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Producer career paths

Key steps to become a producer

  1. Explore producer education requirements

    Most common producer degrees

    Bachelor's

    78.8 %

    Associate

    7.9 %

    Master's

    7.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific producer skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Work Ethic9.39%
    Video Production6.23%
    Client Relationships6.07%
    Project Management5.63%
    Cross-Selling5.51%
  3. Complete relevant producer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New producers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a producer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real producer resumes.
  4. Gain additional producer certifications

    Producer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific producer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for producers include Certified Professional, Life and Health Insurance Program (CPLHI) and Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer (CBRE).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research producer duties and responsibilities

    • Manage and augment existing budget with EP.
    • Manage production of a Sony HD motion graphics internal sales video.
    • Manage all union matters including, IASTE, DGA and AFTRA.
    • Prospect and generate new business through telemarketing leads, referrals, networking and cold leads.
  6. Prepare your producer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your producer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a producer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Producer Resume templates

    Build a professional Producer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Producer resume.
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  7. Apply for producer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a producer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Producer Job

Zippi

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Average producer salary

The average Producer salary in the United States is $72,202 per year or $35 per hour. Producer salaries range between $43,000 and $120,000 per year.

Average Producer Salary
$72,202 Yearly
$34.71 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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