How much does a lighting technician make?
The median lighting technician in the United States earns $68,060 per year, about $32.72 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all lighting technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-4015.
Lighting technician salary range
Pay for lighting technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $42,310 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $130,760. The average (mean) wage of $78,380 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,310 | $20.34 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $52,770 | $25.37 | |
| Median (50th) | $68,060 | $32.72 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $95,640 | $45.98 | |
| 90th percentile | $130,760 | $62.87 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for lighting technicians (SOC 27-4015), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Lighting technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Lighting technicians earn the most in Washington at $126,100 a year, and the least in Missouri at $41,900. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $126,100 | 80 |
| California | $94,070 | 2,950 |
| New Jersey | $87,550 | 340 |
| New York | $78,000 | 780 |
| Connecticut | $72,450 | 80 |
| Georgia | $70,150 | 260 |
| Oklahoma | $67,110 | 60 |
| Louisiana | $66,840 | 40 |
| Florida | $62,190 | 600 |
| Nevada | $61,250 | 390 |
| Tennessee | $60,870 | 280 |
| Virginia | $60,340 | 190 |
| Michigan | $60,210 | 230 |
| Massachusetts | $60,110 | N/A |
| Oregon | $57,900 | 180 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,660 | 100 |
| Ohio | $54,940 | 260 |
| Montana | $54,870 | 50 |
| Texas | $53,150 | 210 |
| Indiana | $50,080 | 190 |
| Nebraska | $49,860 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $49,410 | N/A |
| Maryland | $49,080 | 130 |
| Utah | $49,080 | 120 |
| Kansas | $48,790 | N/A |
| South Carolina | $46,720 | 60 |
| Missouri | $41,900 | 90 |
State median wages for lighting technicians (SOC 27-4015), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for lighting technicians
The BLS projects employment of lighting technicians to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 4.8%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 9,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 9,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 600 openings a year for lighting technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a lighting technician
The typical entry-level education for lighting technicians is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a lighting technician earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $126,100) and the lowest (Missouri, $41,900) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 8,900 people work as lighting technicians in the United States. At $68,060 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Lighting technician salary FAQ
How much does a lighting technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a lighting technician is $32.72. The middle half of lighting technicians earn between $25.37 and $45.98 per hour.
What is the highest lighting technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of lighting technicians earn more than $130,760 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a lighting technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a lighting technician is $68,060. The average (mean) wage of $78,380 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a lighting technician a well paid job?
At $68,060 a year, a lighting technician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 8,900 people work as lighting technicians in the United States.
Which state pays lighting technicians the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for lighting technicians at $126,100 a year. California ($94,070) and New Jersey ($87,550) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a lighting technician a good career?
Employment of lighting technicians is projected to shrink 4.8% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a lighting technician?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for lighting technicians as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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