Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between technical directors and engineering 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 technical director, becoming an engineering manager takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, an engineering manager has an average salary of $139,328, 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 an engineering manager are java, project management, and continuous improvement.
| Technical Director | Engineering Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $131,719 | $139,328 |
| Hourly rate | $63.33 | $66.98 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 77,550 | 67,124 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 40 | 48 |
| 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.
An engineering manager is responsible for managing the overall concept of engineering and construction projects, ensuring that the plan meets the budget goals and the client's specifications. Engineering managers approve designs, plan strategic procedures to follow the project's timetable, analyze current market trends, hire the best and efficient contractors, and coordinate with the clients for any changes and adjustments as needed. An engineering manager must have excellent knowledge of engineering disciplines, as well as leadership and communication skills, monitoring the team's performance throughout the project.
Technical directors and engineering managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Director | Engineering Manager | |
| Average salary | $131,719 | $139,328 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $200,000 | Between $99,000 And $195,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Nike | Mixpanel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a technical director and an engineering manager in terms of educational background:
| Technical Director | Engineering Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Here are the differences between technical directors' and engineering managers' demographics:
| Technical Director | Engineering Manager | |
| Average age | 40 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.4% Female, 17.6% | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.2% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 14% | 9% |