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Theater technician vs audio visual specialist

The differences between theater technicians and audio visual specialists 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 visual specialist. Additionally, an audio visual specialist has an average salary of $50,127, 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 visual specialist are visualization, video production, and unity.

Theater technician vs audio visual specialist overview

Theater TechnicianAudio Visual Specialist
Yearly salary$39,818$50,127
Hourly rate$19.14$24.10
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs12,70531,773
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
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 visual specialist do?

Audiovisual specialists are skilled professionals who focus on the effective operation of audiovisual systems and technology. These specialists are required to maintain and troubleshoot audio, video, and lighting equipment that are used in broadcasts and recordings. They must connect, tune, and configure audio-video setups to ensure high-quality broadcasting while operating software to control the AV technologies. Audiovisual specialists must also monitor live feeds as well as prepare teleprompters with scripts.

Theater technician vs audio visual specialist salary

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

Theater TechnicianAudio Visual Specialist
Average salary$39,818$50,127
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $59,000Between $32,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between theater technician and audio visual specialist education

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

Theater TechnicianAudio Visual Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorTheatreBusiness
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityStanford University

Theater technician vs audio visual specialist demographics

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

Theater TechnicianAudio Visual Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 70.2% Female, 29.8%Male, 54.9% Female, 45.1%
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, 10.1% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between theater technician and audio visual specialist 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 visual specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage software to insure protection from miscellaneous online activities, troubleshoot and repair hardware and software to maintain PC stability.
  • Demonstrate experience with AMX, Crestron, Polycom control technologies.
  • Resolve technical issues and troubleshoot as necessary during live presentations.
  • Operate Crestron, AMX switchers.
  • Connect audio and video calls with offices worldwide through integrate Polycom conference systems.
  • Provide training to for the operations of the VTC units, peripherals equipment.
  • Show more

Theater technician vs audio visual specialist 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 visual specialist skills
  • Visualization, 17%
  • Video Production, 7%
  • Unity, 7%
  • Audio Visual Support, 7%
  • Sales Floor, 6%
  • Customer Service, 4%

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