Lighting Technicians in California
Thinking about a career as a Lighting Technicians in California? Below are the key facts. 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).
What do Lighting Technicians Make in California?
For lighting technicians working in California, wages run about $74,670 per year (or roughly $35.90/hour).Annual wages span from $47,100 at the 10th percentile to $134,870 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| 25th percentile | $51,900 | $24.95 |
| Median (50th) | $74,670 | $35.90 |
| 75th percentile | $102,180 | $49.12 |
| 90th percentile | $134,870 | $64.84 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California compared to the national average — is 2.81, suggesting that lighting technicians are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, lighting technicians earn a median of $45,092 per year ($21.68/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 88,113 lighting technicians in the U.S.. In California alone, about 3,330 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 120 lighting technicians.
Top California Metros for Lighting Technicians
The metro areas below employ the most lighting technicians in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 2,440 | $83,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 240 | $64,300 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 120 | $49,880 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 70 | $48,150 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 70 | $60,570 |
Top States for Lighting Technicians Employment
View the states that employ the most lighting technicians work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 3,330 |
| Florida | 1,240 |
| New York | 910 |
| Tennessee | 410 |
| New Jersey | 400 |
| Oregon | 360 |
| Nevada | 350 |
| Pennsylvania | 260 |
| Texas | 250 |
| Georgia | 240 |
| Illinois | 230 |
| Maryland | 220 |
| Utah | 140 |
| Indiana | 120 |
| Massachusetts | 120 |
| Colorado | 110 |
| Washington | 70 |
| Ohio | 70 |
| North Carolina | 70 |
| Kansas | 70 |
Highest-Paying States for Lighting Technicians
Where lighting technicians earn the most: lighting technicians.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $109,670 |
| Hawaii | $90,530 |
| Colorado | $83,580 |
| New Jersey | $83,340 |
| New York | $83,200 |
| California | $74,670 |
| District of Columbia | $70,190 |
| Nevada | $64,250 |
| Oklahoma | $63,410 |
| Massachusetts | $62,010 |
Daily Tasks
Lighting Technicians typically:
- 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.
- Perform minor repairs or routine maintenance on lighting equipment, such as replacing lamps or damaged color filters.
- Program lighting consoles or load automated lighting control systems onto consoles.
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: Microsoft Office software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Audiovisual Communications
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Related Careers
Careers similar to lighting technicians include:
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Robotics Technicians
- Electricians
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers
- Helpers–Electricians
Also Known As
Controls Technician (Controls Tech), Dimmer Board Operator, Electrical Lighting Technician (ELT), Entertainment Lighting Technician, Entertainment Professional, Gaffer, Lamp Operator, Light Technician (Light Tech), Lighting Controls Technician, Lighting Designer, Lighting Engineer, Lighting Operator, Lighting Service Technician (Lighting Service Tech), Lighting Specialist, Lighting Technician (Lighting Tech).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 27-4015.00
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