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Television production assistant : Salary and conditions

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  1. Job description
  2. Salary and conditions
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Case studies

  • Starting salaries for television production assistants (PAs) range from £14,000 - £16,000 per annum.
  • An experienced production assistant can expect to earn between £20,000 and £25,000 per annum.
  • Senior production assistant may earn up to £30,000 per annum.
  • A daily freelance guideline rate of £138-£155 has been outlined by the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematographic and Theatre Union (BECTU) and the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) , but top freelancers can negotiate their own salaries. Freelance rates also vary depending upon the area they specialise in and the amount of hours they work either per day or per week
  • Work hours tend to be irregular, long and include travel. Most production assistants work shifts and weekends, depending on the production, and they often arrive first and leave last. The work is demanding, unpredictable and largely contract based so it is often difficult to plan ahead, which can impact on lifestyle. Shoots take place in a range of settings including indoors in offices and studios as well as outdoors on location in all weathers. The work may involve waiting around for long periods of time.
  • Freelance work is increasingly likely for experienced production assistants with work based on short-term contracts for the duration of an assignment.
  • Career breaks are possible, but time away can often result in missed opportunities.
  • Jobs with production companies are mainly in London and the South East. Although many BBC and ITV jobs are also based in London, there are growing opportunities in the UK’s larger cities (e.g. Manchester) for BBC work.
  • Travel within a working day is common. Outside broadcasts (OBs) and location shoots may involve working away regularly or for fairly long periods of time, either in the UK or abroad.
  • Overseas travel is also possible and production assistants can spend short or long periods of time away from home.
 
AGCAS
Written by AGCAS editors
Date: 
September 2010
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