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The differences between stage managers and directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a stage manager, becoming a director takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a director has an average salary of $113,489, which is higher than the $50,142 average annual salary of a stage manager.
The top three skills for a stage manager include stage management, audio equipment and control room. The most important skills for a director are healthcare, customer service, and oversight.
| Stage Manager | Director | |
| Yearly salary | $50,142 | $113,489 |
| Hourly rate | $24.11 | $54.56 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 699 | 230,711 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
A stage manager is someone who oversees theatrical performances and all practical and technical aspects of rehearsals and shows, such as lighting cues, sound, prop usage, and costume changes. The core skills that stage managers should possess to accomplish their responsibilities include excellent attention to detail, the ability to multi-task and work under pressure, and strong leadership and problem-solving skills. They should be able to delegate tasks to staff. The job requires no formal education.
Directors work in show business, whether in a film, a television show, or a theatre production. They are responsible for bringing the material to life. They work with the writers to get a clear vision of how the production should look. They lead the production team in planning for the production, identifying filming or rehearsing schedules, casting for roles, and other aspects that need to be decided upon. Directors provide direction to the actors to ensure that the actors understand their role and will be able to effectively convey emotions to the audience. They also manage all other crew members and communicate their expectations clearly so that everyone on the set is working towards one vision.
Stage managers and directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Stage Manager | Director | |
| Average salary | $50,142 | $113,489 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $76,000 | Between $66,000 And $192,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | - | New York |
| Best paying company | - | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between a stage manager and a director in terms of educational background:
| Stage Manager | Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Theatre | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between stage managers' and directors' demographics:
| Stage Manager | Director | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.3% Female, 55.7% | Male, 53.2% Female, 46.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 14% | 14% |