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The differences between technical directors and principal engineers 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 principal engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a technical director has an average salary of $131,719, which is higher than the $130,213 average annual salary of a principal engineer.
The top three skills for a technical director include business development, architecture and technical expertise. The most important skills for a principal engineer are java, architecture, and python.
| Technical Director | Principal Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $131,719 | $130,213 |
| Hourly rate | $63.33 | $62.60 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 77,550 | 312,683 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| 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.
A principal engineer is responsible for monitoring the overall design phase of the construction process, including coordinating with the client for progress and updates, as well as performing adjustments as needed based on clients' specifications and requirements. Principal engineers also inspect the materials and resources used to ensure that the project stays within the budget goals and set timeframe. They should have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in preparing reports and training new staff.
Technical directors and principal engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Director | Principal Engineer | |
| Average salary | $131,719 | $130,213 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $200,000 | Between $95,000 And $177,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Nike | Grubhub |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a technical director and a principal engineer in terms of educational background:
| Technical Director | Principal Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between technical directors' and principal engineers' demographics:
| Technical Director | Principal Engineer | |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| 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, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.6% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 14% | 5% |