Lighting technicians salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $68,060 | $32.72 |
| Mean (average) | $78,380 | $37.68 |
| 90th percentile | $130,760 | $62.87 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Lighting technicians pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 30 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $94,070 | $50,910 | $159,610 | 2,950 | 2.83 |
| Colorado | Data unavailable | 150 | 0.91 | ||
| Connecticut | $72,450 | $61,230 | $99,990 | 80 | 0.81 |
| Florida | $62,190 | $38,550 | $83,890 | 600 | 1.05 |
| Georgia | $70,150 | $48,240 | $123,020 | 260 | 0.94 |
| Illinois | Data unavailable | 160 | 0.47 | ||
| Indiana | $50,080 | $35,800 | $147,400 | 190 | 1.06 |
| Kansas | $48,790 | $41,570 | $69,800 | ||
| Louisiana | $66,840 | $39,050 | $108,190 | 40 | 0.4 |
| Maryland | $49,080 | $39,030 | $100,990 | 130 | 0.85 |
| Massachusetts | $60,110 | $52,890 | $82,680 | ||
| Michigan | $60,210 | $50,070 | $60,210 | 230 | 0.91 |
| Missouri | $41,900 | $31,200 | $120,690 | 90 | 0.54 |
| Montana | $54,870 | $51,310 | $66,040 | 50 | 1.64 |
| Nebraska | $49,860 | $47,890 | $78,500 | ||
| Nevada | $61,250 | $24,960 | $90,830 | 390 | 4.44 |
| New Jersey | $87,550 | $63,220 | $109,380 | 340 | 1.39 |
| New York | $78,000 | $52,000 | $133,000 | 780 | 1.41 |
| North Carolina | $49,410 | $40,080 | $63,360 | ||
| Ohio | $54,940 | $34,820 | $78,640 | 260 | 0.81 |
| Oklahoma | $67,110 | $40,960 | $134,480 | 60 | 0.58 |
| Oregon | $57,900 | $46,800 | $101,820 | 180 | 1.63 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,660 | $37,780 | $95,180 | 100 | 0.29 |
| Puerto Rico | $38,400 | $36,490 | $47,210 | ||
| South Carolina | $46,720 | $34,120 | $59,990 | 60 | 0.48 |
| Tennessee | $60,870 | $43,140 | $137,190 | 280 | 1.5 |
| Texas | $53,150 | $36,050 | $68,850 | 210 | 0.26 |
| Utah | $49,080 | $32,160 | $69,770 | 120 | 1.19 |
| Virginia | $60,340 | $29,360 | $75,000 | 190 | 0.82 |
| Washington | $126,100 | $72,980 | $175,010 | 80 | 0.4 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for lighting technicians
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 600. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 12.2%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for lighting technicians
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician CIP 10.0201
- Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician CIP 10.0202
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Project (hot technology)
- FileMaker Pro
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Programmable logic controller PLC software
- Rockwell RSLogix
- SAP Maintenance
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do lighting technicians make?
The national median annual wage for lighting technicians was $68,060 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $42,310 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $130,760. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do lighting technicians need?
BLS lists postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and short-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is lighting technicians a growing career?
BLS projects employment of lighting technicians to change -4.8% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 600 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay lighting technicians the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Washington ($126,100), California ($94,070), New Jersey ($87,550). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.