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The differences between technical directors and chief technology officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a technical director, becoming a chief technology officer takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a chief technology officer has an average salary of $172,989, which is higher than the $131,719 average annual salary of a technical director.
The top three skills for a technical director include business development, architecture and technical expertise. The most important skills for a chief technology officer are infrastructure, cloud, and architecture.
| Technical Director | Chief Technology Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $131,719 | $172,989 |
| Hourly rate | $63.33 | $83.17 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 77,550 | 124,289 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 40 | 52 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A technical director is responsible for monitoring the technical efficiency of operations. Technical directors inspect audio and visual equipment, lighting systems for productions, and other technical processes. They ensure that all the equipment is in proper working condition, identify and troubleshoot defects, and deliver high-quality project results. They also monitor expenses, forecast sales reports, and create cost estimates for the systems needed for the project completion, following the clients' specifications to gain satisfaction. A technical director must have excellent communication and decision-making skills to manage operational processes with maximum accuracy.
The job of chief technology officers (CTOs) is to oversee the technological needs and research and development of an organization. The CTOs, who are like chief information officers, make decisions for a company's technology infrastructure that aligns with the organization's business goals. They must ensure that they are updated on new and existing technologies for them to guide the company's future endeavors. Other responsibilities include fixing issues related to information technology, developing and managing the company's technological resources, and participating in management decisions on corporate governance.
Technical directors and chief technology officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Director | Chief Technology Officer | |
| Average salary | $131,719 | $172,989 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $200,000 | Between $105,000 And $284,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Nike | InPhonex |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a technical director and a chief technology officer in terms of educational background:
| Technical Director | Chief Technology Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between technical directors' and chief technology officers' demographics:
| Technical Director | Chief Technology Officer | |
| Average age | 40 | 52 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.4% Female, 17.6% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 7.7% White, 76.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 14% | 12% |