BEGINS the UK magazine for the television industry, Televisual: “It’s possible to earn a good living in production. But, according to Televisual’s 19th salary survey, the rewards vary hugely between those at the top and the bottom of the industry…
“On the plus side, the majority of respondents (46 per cent) say their salaries have risen over the past year – compared to 17.5 per cent who report that their pay has fallen and the 36.4 per cent who say it has stayed the same.
“For a significant number in the industry, there is clearly good money to be made. Key jobs such as a producer, director and production manager in independent television all fall into the threshold for paying the higher rate of tax. The median annual earning of a producer, for example, is £44k, while a director can expect £50k and a series producer £65k. An executive producer, meanwhile, is likely to bring home a salary of £93.5k a year.”
Other findings:
* Average salary, male – £50,000; female – £37,000.
* Average pay per year: broadcasting £45,250; indie TV production £50,000; film production £50,000; AD production £54,000; corporate production £35,250; digital media £32,850; distribution £41,000; facilities £45,000 and post-production £44,000.
* Average pay per year: Birmingham £25,000; Brighton £35,000; Bristol £36,300; Leeds £41,500; Manchester £45,500 and London £50,000.
* Average pay per year: Aged 20-25 £22,500; 26-30 £30,000; 31-35 £45,000; 36-40 £50,500; 41-45 £61,500; 46-50 £70,000; 51-55 £56,500; 56-60 £55,000; 61-65 £40,000 and 65+ £40,000.
* Commercials average pay per year: Production co-ordinator £14,500; producer £48,150; executive producer £110,000 and managing director £115,000.
* Corporate average pay per year: Director £34,000; producer £35,500; camera operator £36,500; producer/director – £39,000 and head of production £42,500.
* Indie TV pay per year: Runner £15,000; Researcher £22,000; Script editor £26,500; Camera operator £30,000; Production co-ordinator £30,320; Archive producer £33,500; Assistant producer £36,050; Editor £40,000; Edit producer £42,000; Producer £44,000; Production manager £45,000; Director £50,000; Producer/director £52,000; Line producer £55,000; Head of production £65,000; Director of photography £65,000; Series producer £65,000; Head of development £75,000; Executive producer £93,500; Managing director £120,000 and chief executive £194,625.
* Broadcaster pay per year: Researcher £14,750; Production co-ordinator £26,500; Assistant producer £30,750; Script editor £31,700; Production manager £37,150; Producer £51,000; Producer/director £66,500; Executive producer £71,600 and Commissioning editor £100,000.
* Post-production pay per year: Edit assistant £18,000; Bookings £21,000; Compositor £27,500; VFX artist £34,000; Producer £40,000; Facilities manager £40,000; Dubbing mixer £52,235; Editor (offline) £55,000; Editor (online) £60,000; Sound designer £60,000; VFX supervisor £75,000; Colourist £78,500 and Managing director £78,000.
* Independent TV weekly rates: Researcher £520; Production co-ordinator £650; Assistant producer £825; Production manager £1,100; Producer £1,100; Edit producer £1,300; Producer/director £1,350; Self-shooting director £1,350 and Director £1,675.
* Independent TV day rates: Assistant producer £163; Producer £220; Production manager £220; Director £250; Producer/director £273; Line producer £300; Series producer £320 and Executive producer £500.
Source: Televisual, April 2014.
