Lighting Technicians
Set up, maintain, and dismantle light fixtures, lighting control devices, and the associated lighting electrical and rigging equipment used for photography, television, film, video, and live productions. May focus or operate light fixtures, or attach color filters or other lighting accessories.
Median pay (national)
$60,560
$36,340–$117,690 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
10,130
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-4.6%
~800 openings/yr
Typical entry
Postsecondary nondegree award
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for lighting technicians shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $117,690 versus $36,340 at the bottom 10% — 3.2x. The median of $60,560 leaves roughly 94% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -4.6% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 30 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $109,670, +81% vs the national median), while North Carolina sits lowest at $39,270 — a 179% spread for the same job title.
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What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Assess safety of wiring or equipment set-up to determine the risk of fire or electrical shock.
- Consult with lighting director or production staff to determine lighting requirements.
- Disassemble and store equipment after performances.
- Install color effects or image patterns, such as color filters, onto lighting fixtures.
- Install electrical cables or wire fixtures.
- Load, unload, or position lighting equipment.
- Match light fixture settings, such as brightness and color, to lighting design plans.
- Notify supervisors when major lighting equipment repairs are needed.
- Operate manual or automated systems to control lighting throughout productions.
- Patch or wire lights to dimmers or other electronic consoles.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Office software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- FileMaker Pro
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Programmable logic controller PLC software
- Rockwell RSLogix
- SAP Maintenance
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project