Introduction
With our company offering fractional tech director services, one of the questions we often receive is “How does the cost of your service compare with hiring someone for the job?” quickly followed by “Why should we consider contracting you?”.
Both are valid questions and we’ve done the work to provide a fair analysis for you. In this breakdown we’ll be comparing the cost and value of our services, against the national & regional average of staffing an experienced technical director.
We hope you find this information insightful and useful throughout the course of your evaluation.
What is a
Technical Director?
A tech director plays a crucial role in ensuring that the technical aspects of church services and events run smoothly. They oversee audio, visual, lighting, and multimedia aspects to enhance the worship experience and effectively convey the message to the congregation.
These positions are often filled by people with higher education & years of experience in the field. Often, tech directors are responsible for managing teams of volunteers & employees in addition to caring for a facility and it’s systems.
Many, if not all Tech Directors are also tasked with staying current with technical & creative trends. This often leads to continued education in order to be certified on the complex ecosystems that presently fill the modern church, school, and institutions.
Annual Cost Of Employment.
“As of Jun 25, 2024, the average annual pay for a Church Tech Director in the United States is $127,543 a year.
Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $61.32 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,452/week or $10,628/month.
While surveys show annual salaries as high as $239,000 and as low as $43,500, the majority of Church Tech Director salaries currently range between $88,000 to $150,500 with top earners making $196,000 annually across the United States. The average pay range for a Church Tech Director varies greatly, which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.”
“The average Church Technical Director salary in the United States is $118,660 as of June 27, 2024, but the range typically falls between $110,420 and $136,788. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.”
$100k+ Is Average For These Positions?
Yes, it is! However, we need to examine what a local TD can expect to make in the Pacific Northwest.
These regional jobs typically pay $50,000-$90,000 a year based on experience & church size.
Annual cost of Remote-TD services
Stewardship is a HUGE topic for churches and non-profits. With that in mind, we’d like to lead with the yearly out-the-door cost for our two service levels. Keep in mind that these are annual base costs. Your mileage may vary depending the exact terms of your contract.
As shown, the annual cost savings of a fractional tech director is substantial. When contrasted against the national numbers, RTD’s Gold Level is equivalent to just 23% of that total salary. $13,500 less per year than the lowliest of positions included in the surveys.
Let’s not discount that the salaries represented in the reports reflect the gross take home pay to the employee. They do not include the additional cost of extending benefits to the employee and their family. Often, this cost can be an additional 20-40% of their annual salary tacked on in a benefits package.
These are important things to consider in the process of finding strong technical leadership for your teams.
When experience, education, competency, & productivity are factored into the equation - the value that a fractional tech director can add to your organization is massive.
What Is Fractional Work?
Fractional work refers to a work arrangement where an individual provides specialized skills or management services to multiple organizations on a part-time or project basis. This work model has gained popularity in recent years due to the increasing demand for flexible and cost-effective solutions for organizations to access specific expertise.
Fractional professionals are experts in specific fields, such as finance, IT, marketing, or AV technology who provide their specialized skills and services to multiple clients. They typically work on a contract or project basis and can be found across various industries.
How Can Fractional Work Benefit You?
For organizations that rely heavily on volunteerism, fractional hiring can be a game-changer. Access to seasoned professionals on a retained basis allows these groups to navigate growth, scale challenges, and innovation hurdles more effectively.
By integrating fractional positions, organizations can:
Leverage professional experience and cross-industry insights without the full-time cost.
Gain focused expertise to drive specific projects or navigate through critical seasons.
Enhance organizational agility by bringing in specialized skills as and when needed.
There is a lot to consider when making a decision on technical leadership for your organization. Our hope is that this short analysis has given you clear financial insight into hiring vs. using a team like ours.
We know that you’re going to make the best decision for your organization. Whatever you decide, we’re thankful that you took the time to investigate and consider Remote-TD for your team!