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Theater technician vs audio technician

The differences between theater technicians and audio technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a theater technician and an audio technician. Additionally, an audio technician has an average salary of $51,473, which is higher than the $39,818 average annual salary of a theater technician.

The top three skills for a theater technician include sound equipment, technical support and video equipment. The most important skills for an audio technician are wireless microphones, video equipment, and audio systems.

Theater technician vs audio technician overview

Theater TechnicianAudio Technician
Yearly salary$39,818$51,473
Hourly rate$19.14$24.75
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs12,70530,951
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does a theater technician do?

Organizing a stage play is complicated and requires a lot of experience, problem-solving skills, and powerful organizational abilities. A Theater Technician handles all the technical aspects of a stage play production. This person oversees the audio, lighting, and visual equipment in a theater. In most cases, one person handles all of these areas and works hand in hand with the creative and floor director. A Theater Technician rises above and not fold under pressure.

What does an audio technician do?

An audio technician is a person who works in a variety of media fields and broadcasting and is responsible for capturing audio signals. They are involved in maintaining audio equipment, setup, speakers and sound mixer, and everything from the cables and microphones to the monitor. Also, audio technicians repair equipment that is faulty to continue recording with minimal disruption to the recording session. They are needed for live production venues, recording studios, television, radio broadcasts, and worship spaces. An audio technician works under a sound engineer who handles the creative process and final mixing involved with audio production.

Theater technician vs audio technician salary

Theater technicians and audio technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Theater TechnicianAudio Technician
Average salary$39,818$51,473
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $59,000Between $30,000 And $88,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between theater technician and audio technician education

There are a few differences between a theater technician and an audio technician in terms of educational background:

Theater TechnicianAudio Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorTheatreMusic
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityJohns Hopkins University

Theater technician vs audio technician demographics

Here are the differences between theater technicians' and audio technicians' demographics:

Theater TechnicianAudio Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 70.2% Female, 29.8%Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.1% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between theater technician and audio technician duties and responsibilities

Theater technician example responsibilities.

  • Maintain and manage multiple stages: FOH mix, monitor mix, and video presentation editing mix.
  • Set up, operate, strike and troubleshoot audio, video and lighting equipment
  • Design the set and run the lights/sound system for high school plays and annual assemblies.
  • Report equipment problems, or troubleshoot with other crew members, and ensure that require repairs are make.
  • Provide support for the engineering, furnishing, and installation of classify and unclassify video teleconferencing systems and video distribution systems.
  • Duplicate CDs from the chapel services and seminars to fill orders place in the bookstore.

Audio technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain the wireless system, network, servers, and desktop PCs.
  • Prepare Dj equipment, check sound quality, and also assist clients w/ request.
  • Edit promos for abc network programing.
  • Interact with host to ensure conference run smoothly and efficiently.
  • Set up sound gear and mix audio for CNN guest appearances and show tapings.
  • Record for rebroadcast on KHYBER TV (Pakistan), Shabob Radio.net (Yemen).
  • Show more

Theater technician vs audio technician skills

Common theater technician skills
  • Sound Equipment, 14%
  • Technical Support, 12%
  • Video Equipment, 11%
  • Audio Equipment, 9%
  • A/V, 7%
  • Safety Regulations, 5%
Common audio technician skills
  • Wireless Microphones, 13%
  • Video Equipment, 9%
  • Audio Systems, 8%
  • Live Events, 4%
  • Analog, 4%
  • AV, 3%

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