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The differences between theater technicians and technical 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 theater technician and a technical director. Additionally, a technical director has an average salary of $131,719, 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 a technical director are business development, architecture, and technical expertise.
| Theater Technician | Technical Director | |
| Yearly salary | $39,818 | $131,719 |
| Hourly rate | $19.14 | $63.33 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 12,705 | 77,550 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
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.
Theater technicians and technical directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Theater Technician | Technical Director | |
| Average salary | $39,818 | $131,719 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $59,000 | Between $86,000 And $200,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | New York |
| Best paying company | - | Nike |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a theater technician and a technical director in terms of educational background:
| Theater Technician | Technical Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Theatre | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between theater technicians' and technical directors' demographics:
| Theater Technician | Technical Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.2% Female, 29.8% | Male, 82.4% Female, 17.6% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 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 | 8% | 14% |