Lighting Technician Salary
Lighting Technicians earn a median $68,060 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
What lighting technicians do
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.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -4.8% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 600
- Self-employed
- 12%
Employment of lighting technicians is projected to shrink 4.8% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 600 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Lighting Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,143
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,220
- Medicare (1.45%)$987
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$56,710
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,310 | $20.34 | $36,176 |
| 25th percentile | $52,770 | $25.37 | $44,581 |
| Median (50th) | $68,060 | $32.72 | $56,710 |
| 75th percentile | $95,640 | $45.98 | $76,113 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,760 | $62.87 | $100,640 |
Lighting Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $126,100 | +15.0% | $97,455 | $72,980 – $175,010 | 80 |
| California | $94,070 | +26.0% | $69,266 | $50,910 – $159,610 | 2,950 |
| New Jersey | $87,550 | +5.1% | $67,034 | $63,220 – $109,380 | 340 |
| New York | $78,000 | −6.3% | $60,088 | $52,000 – $133,000 | 780 |
| Connecticut | $72,450 | — | $57,389 | $61,230 – $99,990 | 80 |
| Georgia | $70,150 | +19.7% | $55,163 | $48,240 – $123,020 | 260 |
| Oklahoma | $67,110 | +5.8% | $53,567 | $40,960 – $134,480 | 60 |
| Louisiana | $66,840 | — | $54,233 | $39,050 – $108,190 | 40 |
| Florida | $62,190 | +55.7% | $52,150 | $38,550 – $83,890 | 600 |
| Nevada | $61,250 | −4.7% | $51,394 | $24,960 – $90,830 | 390 |
| Tennessee | $60,870 | +6.1% | $51,089 | $43,140 – $137,190 | 280 |
| Virginia | $60,340 | +16.0% | $48,008 | $29,360 – $75,000 | 190 |
| Michigan | $60,210 | +8.7% | $48,251 | $50,070 – $60,210 | 230 |
| Massachusetts | $60,110 | −3.1% | $47,693 | $52,890 – $82,680 | — |
| Oregon | $57,900 | +29.9% | $44,466 | $46,800 – $101,820 | 180 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,660 | +1.1% | $46,740 | $37,780 – $95,180 | 100 |
| Ohio | $54,940 | +27.9% | $45,596 | $34,820 – $78,640 | 260 |
| Montana | $54,870 | — | $44,446 | $51,310 – $66,040 | 50 |
| Texas | $53,150 | −1.7% | $44,886 | $36,050 – $68,850 | 210 |
| Indiana | $50,080 | +9.6% | $40,971 | $35,800 – $147,400 | 190 |
| Nebraska | $49,860 | +8.7% | $40,853 | $47,890 – $78,500 | — |
| North Carolina | $49,410 | +25.8% | $40,418 | $40,080 – $63,360 | — |
| Maryland | $49,080 | +1.4% | $39,648 | $39,030 – $100,990 | 130 |
| Utah | $49,080 | +0.5% | $40,373 | $32,160 – $69,770 | 120 |
| Kansas | $48,790 | +4.9% | $39,460 | $41,570 – $69,800 | — |
| South Carolina | $46,720 | −14.4% | $38,073 | $34,120 – $59,990 | 60 |
| Missouri | $41,900 | +0.7% | $34,815 | $31,200 – $120,690 | 90 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound Engineering Technician | $73,130 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -3.1% |
| Broadcast Technician | $59,570 | Associate's degree | -3.1% |
| Audio and Video Technician | $58,100 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.9% |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $70,720 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.6% |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $74,990 | Bachelor's degree | +1.3% |
| Film and Video Editor | $75,420 | Bachelor's degree | +3.7% |
| Photographer | $44,660 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
| Athlete and Sports Competitor | $66,710 | No formal educational credential | +5.5% |
| Designers, All Other | $64,950 | Bachelor's degree | +1.2% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lighting technician make?
The national median salary for lighting technicians is $68,060 a year ($32.72 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $42,310 and the top 10% earn over $130,760. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays lighting technicians the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $126,100.
How many lighting technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 8,900 people work as lighting technicians nationwide.