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Special effects technician vs video technician

The differences between special effects technicians and video 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 video technician. Additionally, a video technician has an average salary of $45,504, which is higher than the $43,345 average annual salary of a special effects technician.

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

Special effects technician vs video technician overview

Special Effects TechnicianVideo Technician
Yearly salary$43,345$45,504
Hourly rate$20.84$21.88
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs17,94036,283
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Special effects technician vs video technician salary

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

Special Effects TechnicianVideo Technician
Average salary$43,345$45,504
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $80,000Between $30,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City-Plymouth, MA
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-NTT Data International L.L.C.
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between special effects technician and video technician education

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

Special Effects TechnicianVideo Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorBusinessPhotography
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoStanford University

Special effects technician vs video technician demographics

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

Special Effects TechnicianVideo Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 74.1% Female, 25.9%Male, 81.5% Female, 18.5%
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, 9.7% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between special effects technician and video 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.

Video technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage and clean sculpture studio after hours and assist students.
  • Manage HD camerawork and calculating wireless mic levels.
  • Capture b-roll video footage of events and photos of event.
  • Design network architecture; develop plans and specifications for video delivery over cable and IP systems.
  • Operate robotic, manual and jib cameras for live studio broadcasts.
  • Create and maintain worship lyric slides in PowerPoint for playback on projector screen each service, including operation of projector computer.
  • Show more

Special effects technician vs video technician skills

Common special effects technician skills
  • Troubleshoot, 60%
  • Tech Support, 40%
Common video technician skills
  • VTC, 8%
  • Video Equipment, 7%
  • Video Production, 6%
  • Video, 6%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • IP, 5%

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