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The differences between production managers and technical directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a production manager and a technical director. Additionally, a technical director has an average salary of $131,719, which is higher than the $78,064 average annual salary of a production manager.
The top three skills for a production manager include continuous improvement, customer service and quality standards. The most important skills for a technical director are business development, architecture, and technical expertise.
| Production Manager | Technical Director | |
| Yearly salary | $78,064 | $131,719 |
| Hourly rate | $37.53 | $63.33 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 95,561 | 77,550 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 46 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Production managers work in show business, whether in film, television shows, or theatre productions. They oversee the whole production and ensure that all agreements are met. They manage finances and budget allocation. They oversee the design of costumes and sets. They also manage the timeline of filming and ensure that the production or filming will finish within the agreed timeline. Production managers also ensure that all stakeholders are satisfied. They build meaningful working relationships with everyone involved, from directors to actors to crew members. They try to mitigate any potential challenges in the production budget and schedule.
A technical director is responsible for monitoring the technical efficiency of operations. Technical directors inspect audio and visual equipment, lighting systems for productions, and other technical processes. They ensure that all the equipment is in proper working condition, identify and troubleshoot defects, and deliver high-quality project results. They also monitor expenses, forecast sales reports, and create cost estimates for the systems needed for the project completion, following the clients' specifications to gain satisfaction. A technical director must have excellent communication and decision-making skills to manage operational processes with maximum accuracy.
Production managers and technical directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Production Manager | Technical Director | |
| Average salary | $78,064 | $131,719 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $120,000 | Between $86,000 And $200,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | New York |
| Best paying company | Cheniere Energy | Nike |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a production manager and a technical director in terms of educational background:
| Production Manager | Technical Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between production managers' and technical directors' demographics:
| Production Manager | Technical Director | |
| Average age | 46 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4% | Male, 82.4% Female, 17.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 5.1% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 14% |