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The differences between technical directors and directors 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 director takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a technical director has an average salary of $131,719, which is higher than the $113,489 average annual salary of a director.
The top three skills for a technical director include business development, architecture and technical expertise. The most important skills for a director are healthcare, customer service, and oversight.
| Technical Director | Director | |
| Yearly salary | $131,719 | $113,489 |
| Hourly rate | $63.33 | $54.56 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 77,550 | 230,711 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
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.
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.
Technical directors and directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Director | Director | |
| Average salary | $131,719 | $113,489 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $200,000 | Between $66,000 And $192,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | Nike | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a technical director and a director in terms of educational background:
| Technical Director | Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between technical directors' and directors' demographics:
| Technical Director | Director | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.4% Female, 17.6% | Male, 53.2% Female, 46.8% |
| 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, 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% |