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.

$56,600

Median Annual Pay

Jobs growth:

+1% projected 2024–2034

What They Do

Lighting technicians create and manage the illumination for television shows, films, concerts, theater productions, and other live or recorded performances. They work closely with directors and designers to bring visual concepts to life through strategic placement and operation of lights. Their day involves rigging lighting equipment from ceiling grids or scaffolding, programming computerized control boards, and adjusting individual fixtures to achieve the desired mood and atmosphere. During rehearsals and performances, they monitor equipment and make real-time adjustments to intensity, color, and focus.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(masters)New York Institute of Technology, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(bachelors)New England Institute of Technology, RI

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(bachelors)Bowie State University, MD

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(bachelors)Ferris State University, MI

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)Salt Lake Community College, UT

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)Suffolk County Community College, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(bachelors)Full Sail University, FL

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(bachelors)Husson University, ME

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)Rockland Community College, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)New York Institute of Technology, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)Onondaga Community College, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)St. John's University-New York, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)Finger Lakes Community College, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)CUNY LaGuardia Community College, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)CUNY Queensborough Community College, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)Monroe Community College, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)Cayuga County Community College, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)Nassau Community College, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)Herkimer County Community College, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)Hudson Valley Community College, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)CUNY Bronx Community College, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)CUNY Kingsborough Community College, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)SUNY Adirondack, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)Tompkins Cortland Community College, NY

Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians(associates)Villa Maria College, NY

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