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The differences between technical directors and production directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a technical director and a production director. Additionally, a technical director has an average salary of $131,719, which is higher than the $118,207 average annual salary of a production director.
The top three skills for a technical director include business development, architecture and technical expertise. The most important skills for a production director are video production, project management, and oversight.
| Technical Director | Production Director | |
| Yearly salary | $131,719 | $118,207 |
| Hourly rate | $63.33 | $56.83 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 77,550 | 59,417 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 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.
Production directors work with production teams to manage the operation workflow, quality, and schedule adherence. They also monitor production activities to make necessary adjustments to the schedule to ensure that all deliverables are delivered on time, develop ideas for process improvements, and optimize production speed while maintaining the quality of the products. There are a few skills that most employers look for in production directors, like analytical skills, leadership skills, and creativity which are very helpful in fulfilling this role.
Technical directors and production directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Director | Production Director | |
| Average salary | $131,719 | $118,207 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $200,000 | Between $70,000 And $199,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | White Plains, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Nike | Netflix |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a technical director and a production director in terms of educational background:
| Technical Director | Production Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between technical directors' and production directors' demographics:
| Technical Director | Production Director | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.4% Female, 17.6% | Male, 70.0% Female, 30.0% |
| 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, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 14% | 14% |