How much does a lighting technician make?
a year · about $33 an hour
A typical lighting technician in the United States makes $68,060 a year, about $33 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They check the lighting plan with production staff, unload and safely rig lights, then focus and test brightness and color. During a show or shoot, they run the lighting controls and handle small repairs.
Did you know? At Hollywood’s IATSE Local 728, new members must pass a color-vision test because crews use cable colors to identify electrical wires.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $42,310 and $130,760How do you become one?
Many U.S. lighting technicians learn through vocational classes and on-the-job experience; an associate degree is another route. Apprenticeships are also possible—for example, New Mexico’s program requires applicants to be 18 or older.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience, in-demand skills, and useful certificates or licenses can help a lighting technician earn more. Pay also differs by industry and employer, location, and work hours; many jobs are project-based and include nights or weekends.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($126,100), lowest in Missouri ($41,900).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $42,310 | $68,060 | $130,760 | about 9,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $126,100 | about 80 |
| California | $94,070 | about 3,000 |
| New Jersey | $87,550 | about 340 |
| New York | $78,000 | about 780 |
| Connecticut | $72,450 | about 80 |
Official definition: 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. Excludes “Audio and Video Technicians” (27-4011).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/27-4015.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes274015.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/27-4015.00
- www.dws.state.nm.us/en-us/Apprenticeship-Programs/Lighting-Technician
- www.iatse728.org/system/files/2025-09/iatse-local-728-future-member-presentation
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY