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The differences between stage technicians and stage managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a stage technician, becoming a stage manager takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a stage manager has an average salary of $50,142, which is higher than the $40,047 average annual salary of a stage technician.
The top three skills for a stage technician include video equipment, venues and audio equipment. The most important skills for a stage manager are stage management, audio equipment, and control room.
| Stage Technician | Stage Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $40,047 | $50,142 |
| Hourly rate | $19.25 | $24.11 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 30,456 | 699 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
A stage technician is part of the production and technical side of a stage play performance. The stage technician's job is to work alongside the floor director and the props team in the set up of the stage before a performance and packing it up afterward. Alongside this main role, a stage technician also serves as one of the people involved in the set up of props, lighting, stage equipment, sound placements, and other technical issues needed for a stage performance.
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.
Stage technicians and stage managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Stage Technician | Stage Manager | |
| Average salary | $40,047 | $50,142 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $58,000 | Between $32,000 And $76,000 |
| Highest paying City | Reno, NV | - |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | - |
| Best paying company | General Electric | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a stage technician and a stage manager in terms of educational background:
| Stage Technician | Stage Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Theatre | Theatre |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between stage technicians' and stage managers' demographics:
| Stage Technician | Stage Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6% | Male, 44.3% Female, 55.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 14% |