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Stage hand vs dock worker

The differences between stage hands and dock workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a dock worker has an average salary of $36,027, which is higher than the $35,686 average annual salary of a stage hand.

The top three skills for a stage hand include venues, audio systems and stage equipment. The most important skills for a dock worker are safety rules, tractor trailer, and LTL.

Stage hand vs dock worker overview

Stage HandDock Worker
Yearly salary$35,686$36,027
Hourly rate$17.16$17.32
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs10,766119,104
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%High School Diploma, 54%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

What does a stage hand do?

Stagehands are skilled employees who work in the television, film, or theatre to assist other crew members set up the sound, lighting, and other equipment as well as helping performers change into their costumes. These employees are required to hang banners, update marquees, and handle other signage within the venue as it is important for any production. They must keep the venue clean by removing any trash in waste containers and sweeping the stage floor in between shows. Stagehands must also perform any adjustments on the set and run errands when necessary.

What does a dock worker do?

People working in the docks are collectively called dock workers. Their primary job is to load and unload ships. They are also named material movers and hand laborers who manually move stocks, freight, or other materials. While formal educational attainment is not a prerequisite to becoming a dock worker, several skills are required. Dockworkers should have the best physical strength, endurance, and agility. Having good hearing and eyesight is also essential in their job.

Stage hand vs dock worker salary

Stage hands and dock workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Stage HandDock Worker
Average salary$35,686$36,027
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $49,000Between $29,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City-Coon Rapids, MN
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Dairy Farmers of America
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between stage hand and dock worker education

There are a few differences between a stage hand and a dock worker in terms of educational background:

Stage HandDock Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%High School Diploma, 54%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Stage hand vs dock worker demographics

Here are the differences between stage hands' and dock workers' demographics:

Stage HandDock Worker
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 79.9% Female, 20.1%Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.5% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 5.8% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between stage hand and dock worker duties and responsibilities

Stage hand example responsibilities.

  • Maintain and manage multiple stages: FOH mix, monitor mix, and video presentation editing mix.
  • Operate powered lift trucks, floor sweepers, pallet jacks and forklifts safely.
  • Operate powered li trucks, floor sweepers, pallet jacks and forkli s safely.
  • Fill gas in boats and run errands for customers while they are on the boat.
  • Help carry and assist customers with canoes and kayaks.
  • Operate skiffs, pontoons and kayaks and prepare them for customer use.
  • Show more

Dock worker example responsibilities.

  • Operate yard truck to manage dock needs, maintain safety and cleanliness of dock as well as yard.
  • Work with AS400 WMS to coordinate the movement of freight in and out of the terminal.
  • Use of the AS400 to process outbound shipments, including but not limit to data entry, and BOL imaging.
  • Print BOL for daily deliveries.
  • Use RF scanning system to select orders.
  • Process and palletize all damage, penny, and RTV merchandise.
  • Show more

Stage hand vs dock worker skills

Common stage hand skills
  • Venues, 21%
  • Audio Systems, 12%
  • Stage Equipment, 10%
  • Audio Equipment, 9%
  • Backline, 6%
  • Video, 5%
Common dock worker skills
  • Safety Rules, 12%
  • Tractor Trailer, 8%
  • LTL, 8%
  • Unload Trailers, 6%
  • Basic Math, 5%
  • Dock Equipment, 5%

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