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Documentary Producer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

DePaul

Adjunct Faculty in Documentary

Chicago, IL · On-site

The School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs incluuding Film and Television, Animation, Creative Producing, Documentary, and Screenwriting on the Loop ...

FAITHBRIDGE CHURCH

Media Producer

Spring, TX

To produce, direct, edit, and present scripted and documentary style stories and content and support live production through media and technology Purpose: To communicate narratives & events that ...

The Church of Eleven22

Media Producer

Jacksonville, FL · On-site

Media Producer Ministry/Department: Film Reports to: Media Production Manager Status: Full-time, ... Generate fresh ideas for short-form documentary content and life-change stories * Shape interviews ...

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$75.5K

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How much do documentary producer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for documentary producer in the United States is $75,498.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,000.00 and $87,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Documentary Producer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Documentary Producer, you need a strong background in storytelling, project management, and production, often supported by experience in film, journalism, or media studies. Familiarity with editing software (such as Adobe Premiere Pro), budgeting tools, camera equipment, and media distribution platforms is highly valuable. Exceptional communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills set outstanding producers apart. These strengths are crucial for managing complex projects and teams, ensuring compelling narratives, and delivering high-quality documentaries on schedule and within budget.

What does a Documentary Producer do?

A Documentary Producer oversees the creation of a documentary film, managing everything from development to distribution. They secure funding, hire crew members, and coordinate logistics such as scheduling and budgeting. Producers also collaborate with directors and writers to shape the story and ensure it aligns with the intended vision. Additionally, they may handle legal agreements, marketing, and distribution strategies to reach the right audience. Their goal is to bring compelling real-life stories to the screen while managing the project’s creative and financial aspects.

How much do documentary film producers make?

Documentary film producers typically earn between $40,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, project scope, and funding sources. Experienced producers working on high-profile projects or with established production companies can earn higher salaries, often supplemented by royalties or licensing fees.

What does a documentary producer do?

A documentary producer oversees the development, production, and distribution of documentary films. They coordinate funding, manage budgets, hire staff, and ensure the project stays on schedule while maintaining the creative vision. Strong organizational, communication, and industry knowledge are essential for success in this role.

What are some typical challenges faced by Documentary Producers during production?

Documentary Producers often encounter challenges such as managing unpredictable shooting conditions, securing funding, and obtaining access to subjects and locations. They may also need to balance creative vision with logistical limitations, like coordinating schedules and staying within budget. Adapting quickly to changes and troubleshooting unforeseen issues are essential parts of the job. Overcoming these challenges requires resourcefulness, strong organizational skills, and the ability to lead a dedicated team toward completing the project successfully.

What jobs make $500,000 a year?

In California, high-paying jobs that can reach or exceed $500,000 annually include senior executives such as CEOs and CFOs, specialized medical professionals like surgeons and anesthesiologists, and successful entrepreneurs. Certain roles in technology, finance, and law also offer compensation at this level, often requiring advanced skills, extensive experience, and high responsibility.

How much does Netflix pay to make a documentary?

Netflix documentary producers are typically paid based on the project's scope, budget, and their experience, with budgets ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars for high-profile projects. The producer's fee can vary widely, often constituting a percentage of the total production budget, and additional costs cover research, filming, editing, and post-production. Compensation structures may include upfront payments, royalties, or profit-sharing arrangements depending on the deal negotiated.
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Documentary Producer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Documentary Producer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 57% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 15% Nights. Highlights an 67% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 29% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,498 per year, or $36.3 per hour.

SENIOR PRODUCER & EDITOR, Documentaries

WGBH

Boston, MA

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

GBH enriches people's lives through programs and services that educate, inspire, and entertain, fostering citizenship and culture, the joy of learning, and the power of diverse perspectives.

At GBH, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are hybrid and work both from home and onsite. Our current hybrid approach requires staff to work onsite a minimum of two days each week, every Tuesday and Wednesday, Hybrid staff are also welcome to come in additional days each week or may be asked to come in on other days by their manager.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

GBH's Documentaries Unit is dedicated to creating long-form non-fiction content for national broadcast and digital platforms. We are committed to upholding the core public media values of accuracy, integrity, and fairness while producing impactful documentaries that inform, challenge, and inspire the public. The Documentaries Unit consists of GBH's flagship brands: FRONTLINE, NOVA, and American Experience. Our mission is to produce exceptional, journalistically sound documentaries that illuminate critical issues, foster civic dialogue, and serve as an essential resource for education and a well-informed community.

FRONTLINE is investigative journalism that questions, explains, and changes our world. We've been American television's top long-form news and current affairs series since 1983, and we've won every major journalism and broadcasting award available. As PBS's flagship investigative documentary series, we seek both to foster a work environment and to produce journalism that values inclusiveness and reflects the broad perspectives of the American public.
NOVA is the most popular primetime science series on American television, demystifying the scientific and technological concepts that shape and define our lives, our planet, and our universe. Our work is regularly recognized with the industry's most prestigious awards.In addition, science educators across the country rely on NOVA for resources used in the classroom as well as in museums, libraries, and after-school programs.
American Experience is PBS' flagship historical documentary film series. The duPont, Emmy, and Peabody Award-winning series is the go-to source for smart, relevant, and insightful history. The rigor, precision, and journalistic integrity we bring to each story we tell serve as the foundation for one of the most exciting ways for anyone to engage with American history.

JOB OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Executive Producer and Editor-in-Chief for FRONTLINE and Documentaries, the Senior Producer and Editor will act as a trusted editorial advisor and collaborator and will work with content producers to deliver editorial output for FRONTLINE and American Experience across multiple platforms-from development through production to publication. The Senior Producer and Editor will work closely with the Executive Producer, the Senior Director, Digital Media, as well as FRONTLINE's Senior Editorial Team to conduct rigorous review of editorial content for these series, including long-form films, short videos, podcasts, interactives, web-based interviews, transcripts, etc.

TheSenior Producer and Editor will advise producers and reporters on editorial issuesthroughout production and overseeresearch and vetting across platforms to ensure that editorial content meets both FRONTLINE's and American Experience's high editorial and legal standards,assuring that the reputation for these series remains unassailable.

This position serves a critical editorial gatekeeper across FRONTLINE's and American Experience's platforms before content is distributed to millions of people worldwide.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Act as a liaison and a main point of contact for FRONTLINE and American Experience with independent film production teams, GBH staff producers, production partners, and other news organizations to produce documentary programming and other forms of quality editorial content.
  • As assigned by the Executive Producer, provide editorial oversight and review of FRONTLINE and American Experience productions.
  • Act as a key liaison with FRONTLINE's Special Counsel and GBH's Legal team on editorial output across platforms; assess and resolve fair use and other legal issues.
  • Oversee editorial vetting of content before broadcast or publication and ensures all legal issues are addressed.
  • Produce for the Transparency Project and ongoing publication of archive interviews for FRONTLINE.
  • In partnership with the EP and Senior Director, Digital Media, develop and direct editorial strategy and overall direction of American Experience reboot in consultation.
  • In collaboration with GBH's Senior Director of Digital Media, manage and oversee all digital content including, short-form videos across platforms, long -form archival interviews, and future podcast content for American Experience.
  • Provide editorial review of archival films for rebroadcast and for YouTube distribution for American Experience.
  • Communicate internally with other GBH stakeholders about American Experience's editorial planning and programming strategies.
  • Offer editorial feedback on program listings and titles, essays for American Experience programming.
  • In collaboration with the Managing Director, Operations and Special Projects, vet and evaluate potential series funders for American Experience; create sponsorship packages.
  • Field and evaluate story proposals and treatments on behalf of the Executive Producer, advise on viability.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

SKILL SET

  • Dedication to fair, rigorous and impactful investigative journalism.
  • Excellent writing, organizational and communication skills; an enthusiastic collaborator.
  • Proven ability to manage and maintain relationships within institutions and across different institutions.
  • Capacity to oversee new initiatives within an organization.
  • Ability to identify fresh, impactful stories best told in documentary form.
  • A deep understanding of film production and journalism standards and experience in 'film fixing' to meet such standards.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required.
  • 10 - 15 years of relevant work experience in journalism.

JOB SPECIFICS

Staff position

Hybrid position

LOCATION

1 Guest Street, Boston, MA 02135

Thispositionis located in Boston, MA, and requires on-site presence.

Salary Range$110,630 - $140,600Compensation offered within this range is determined by skills, experience and internal pay equity.
GBH is an equal opportunity employer. The community and audience we serve are diverse, and we wish to foster that diversity in our workplace. Toward that end, GBH does not discriminate against individuals in hiring, employment, or promotion based on race, religion, color, sex/gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, disability, veteran or military status, political belief, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Application Process Assistance
GBH will reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities who need adjustments to participate in the application or interview process. To initiate an accommodation request, contact the Human Resource department by sending an email tohuman_resources@wgbh.orgor by calling 617-300-2000.

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