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Special effects technician vs studio technician

The differences between special effects technicians and studio 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 studio technician. Additionally, a special effects technician has an average salary of $43,345, which is higher than the $32,545 average annual salary of a studio technician.

The top three skills for a special effects technician include troubleshoot, tech support and . The most important skills for a studio technician are teleprompter, video production, and camera operation.

Special effects technician vs studio technician overview

Special Effects TechnicianStudio Technician
Yearly salary$43,345$32,545
Hourly rate$20.84$15.65
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs17,94013,598
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Special effects technician vs studio technician salary

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

Special Effects TechnicianStudio Technician
Average salary$43,345$32,545
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $80,000Between $21,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between special effects technician and studio technician education

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

Special Effects TechnicianStudio Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorBusinessFine Arts
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoStanford University

Special effects technician vs studio technician demographics

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

Special Effects TechnicianStudio Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 74.1% Female, 25.9%Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2%
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, 10.0% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 5.6% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between special effects technician and studio 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.

Studio 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.
  • Operate DV/mini DV ENG broadcast cameras shooting interviews, stands ups, and b-roll.
  • Operate secondary camera for b-roll footage.
  • Interface with users, technicians and consultants to facilitate high quality and successful videoconferencing for meetings and company events.
  • Operate secondary camera for b-roll footage.

Special effects technician vs studio technician skills

Common special effects technician skills
  • Troubleshoot, 60%
  • Tech Support, 40%
Common studio technician skills
  • Teleprompter, 21%
  • Video Production, 8%
  • Camera Operation, 7%
  • Studio Cameras, 6%
  • Audio Equipment, 5%
  • Studio Maintenance, 4%

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