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Special effects technician vs stage technician

The differences between special effects technicians and stage technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a special effects technician and a stage technician. Additionally, a special effects technician has an average salary of $43,345, which is higher than the $40,047 average annual salary of a stage technician.

The top three skills for a special effects technician include troubleshoot, tech support and . The most important skills for a stage technician are video equipment, venues, and audio equipment.

Special effects technician vs stage technician overview

Special Effects TechnicianStage Technician
Yearly salary$43,345$40,047
Hourly rate$20.84$19.25
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs17,94030,456
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Special effects technician vs stage technician salary

Special effects technicians and stage technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special Effects TechnicianStage Technician
Average salary$43,345$40,047
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $80,000Between $27,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City-Reno, NV
Highest paying state-Rhode Island
Best paying company-General Electric
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between special effects technician and stage technician education

There are a few differences between a special effects technician and a stage technician in terms of educational background:

Special Effects TechnicianStage Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBusinessTheatre
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoJohns Hopkins University

Special effects technician vs stage technician demographics

Here are the differences between special effects technicians' and stage technicians' demographics:

Special Effects TechnicianStage Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 74.1% Female, 25.9%Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between special effects technician and stage technician duties and responsibilities

Special effects technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead false-positive team to identify and resolve network service issues and produce a manual for outsource providers to troubleshoot technical issues.
  • Create and publish on SharePoint documentation of troubleshooting, resolution, installation and maintenance of hardware and software problems.
  • Prepare and set off battlefield explosion, smoke and IED effects during small unit engagements.
  • Distribute video through cable as well as videoconferencing networks via a multipoint conferencing unit.

Stage technician example responsibilities.

  • Maintain and manage multiple stages: FOH mix, monitor mix, and video presentation editing mix.
  • Help set with lights, audio sound equipment, stage props, and backline band gear.
  • Work include setup, strike and operation of sound, lighting, and video equipment as well as carpentry and rigging.
  • Assist in the unloading and division of backline equipment.
  • Operate professional audio mixer, utilize on board and off board components, including eq.
  • Install necessary software and update drivers, windows update security policies and group policies through proper network protocols.
  • Show more

Special effects technician vs stage technician skills

Common special effects technician skills
  • Troubleshoot, 60%
  • Tech Support, 40%
Common stage technician skills
  • Video Equipment, 10%
  • Venues, 10%
  • Audio Equipment, 9%
  • Troubleshoot, 9%
  • OSHA, 7%
  • Sound Systems, 7%

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