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Special effects technician vs video production assistant

The differences between special effects technicians and video production assistants 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 video production assistant. Additionally, a special effects technician has an average salary of $43,345, which is higher than the $33,779 average annual salary of a video production assistant.

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

Special effects technician vs video production assistant overview

Special Effects TechnicianVideo Production Assistant
Yearly salary$43,345$33,779
Hourly rate$20.84$16.24
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs17,94058,432
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Special effects technician vs video production assistant salary

Special effects technicians and video production assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special Effects TechnicianVideo Production Assistant
Average salary$43,345$33,779
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $80,000Between $20,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between special effects technician and video production assistant education

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

Special Effects TechnicianVideo Production Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorBusinessCommunication
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoHarvard University

Special effects technician vs video production assistant demographics

Here are the differences between special effects technicians' and video production assistants' demographics:

Special Effects TechnicianVideo Production Assistant
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 74.1% Female, 25.9%Male, 69.8% Female, 30.2%
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, 9.0% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 5.2% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between special effects technician and video production assistant 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.

Video production assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage HD camerawork and calculating wireless mic levels.
  • Develop the companies YouTube page to improve the companies social media presents.
  • Advance lighting techniques and how to format videos for private websites and public ones such as YouTube.
  • Create the companies first hunting DVD for retail sales in coordination with the lead video producer and company graphic artist.
  • Assist the video coordinator with off-season opponent scouting, game tape digitizing, logging, DVD production, and duplication.
  • Monitor conference bridges, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and provide complete documentation on conferences.
  • Show more

Special effects technician vs video production assistant skills

Common special effects technician skills
  • Troubleshoot, 60%
  • Tech Support, 40%
Common video production assistant skills
  • Video Production, 20%
  • Audio Equipment, 6%
  • Video Content, 6%
  • Adobe Premiere Pro, 6%
  • Camera Operation, 5%
  • Video Projects, 3%

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