Occupation · SOC 27-4015
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.
Median wage
$60,560
$36,340–$117,690
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
10,130
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
168 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingWritingSocial PerceptivenessJudgment and Decision MakingTime Management
Knowledge areas
English LanguageCommunications and MediaComputers and ElectronicsCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and Management
Technology & tools
Autodesk AutoCADFileMaker ProMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Internet ExplorerMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectProgrammable logic controller PLC softwareRockwell RSLogixSAP Maintenance
Representative tasks
Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.Present final layouts to clients for approval.Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Basic lighting fixtures and control boards — identify and operate under direct supervision on a live production set.Standard rigging and cabling procedures — follow established protocols when setting up lighting equipment in a studio or stage environment.Creative director instructions — listen actively and implement lighting adjustments as directed during pre-production walkthroughs.Lighting plots and technical diagrams — read and interpret with guidance to position fixtures according to a supervisor's specifications.CAD-based lighting design software — navigate foundational functions under supervision to draft simple fixture layouts.Client requirements documentation — review and summarize key lighting needs with support from a senior technician.Office suite and email tools — use to communicate routine scheduling updates and equipment requests within a production team.Safety checklists and OSHA-aligned protocols — complete accurately before each lighting rig installation on a venue or stage.Basic color theory and light quality concepts — recognize and apply foundational principles when selecting gels or filters under supervision.Project timelines and call sheets — track personal task deadlines to meet daily production schedules as assigned by a lighting director.
developing
Lighting rigs for multi-scene productions — configure and adjust with reduced oversight to meet evolving creative briefs on a theater or event stage.Creative department heads — confer with regularly to align lighting design with art direction, copywriting, and production objectives.Industrial control and dimming systems — program and troubleshoot routine faults during live or recorded production environments.Lighting budgets for assigned projects — monitor expenditures and flag variances to production management before deadlines.Presentation software and visual mock-ups — prepare and deliver lighting concept previews to internal stakeholders for feedback.Spreadsheet tools — use to track inventory, equipment rentals, and cost allocations across concurrent lighting projects.On-set lighting continuity — maintain across multiple shooting days by documenting fixture positions, gel choices, and dimmer settings.Client preference feedback — interpret and translate into practical lighting modifications within existing rig constraints.Time management across overlapping production calls — prioritize and schedule personal workload to meet multiple project deadlines simultaneously.Project management software — use to log task progress, update schedules, and coordinate with cross-functional production teams.
proficient
Comprehensive lighting designs for complex productions — develop autonomously from concept through execution across broadcast, theatrical, or live-event environments.Final lighting layouts and visualizations — present confidently to clients and creative directors for approval, incorporating real-time feedback.Non-routine technical problems such as equipment failure during live broadcasts — diagnose and resolve independently to maintain production continuity.Own project accounts and budgets — manage end-to-end within financial and scheduling parameters established by production leadership.CAD lighting design and simulation software — apply at an advanced level to produce precise, client-ready design documentation.Cross-departmental production meetings — lead lighting-specific agenda items, synthesizing input from creative, art, and technical teams.Originality in atmospheric and narrative lighting — exercise consistently to differentiate production quality and fulfill director's creative vision.Vendor and rental-house negotiations — conduct independently to secure equipment within budget while meeting technical specifications.Written production reports, lighting cue sheets, and post-event analyses — author clearly for both technical crews and non-technical clients.Emerging lighting technologies and control protocols — evaluate and integrate into existing workflows to improve production efficiency and effect.
advanced
Organizational lighting standards and best-practice frameworks — establish and champion across multiple production departments or a full-service lighting company.Junior and mid-level lighting technicians — mentor and develop through structured coaching, on-the-job feedback, and skills assessments.Strategic vendor partnerships and technology procurement decisions — lead at an organizational level to align equipment investment with long-term production goals.High-stakes client relationships — cultivate and steward by presenting visionary lighting concepts that drive account retention and business growth.Department-wide budgets spanning multiple simultaneous productions — oversee and optimize, ensuring fiscal accountability and resource efficiency.Innovative lighting design methodologies — pioneer and introduce into organizational workflows, advancing the creative and technical capabilities of the entire team.Cross-functional production leadership teams — influence as the principal lighting authority, shaping overall production strategy and creative direction.Talent acquisition and workforce planning for lighting departments — direct to build teams capable of delivering high-volume, high-complexity production schedules.Industry relationships, guild affiliations, and professional networks — leverage to position the organization competitively within the entertainment and media sector.Organizational quality standards for lighting execution — define, audit, and continuously refine to ensure consistent excellence across all client deliverables.
Also known as
26 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Controls Technician (Controls Tech)Dimmer Board OperatorElectrical Lighting Technician (ELT)Entertainment Lighting TechnicianEntertainment ProfessionalGafferLamp OperatorLight Technician (Light Tech)Lighting Controls TechnicianLighting DesignerLighting EngineerLighting OperatorLighting Service Technician (Lighting Service Tech)Lighting SpecialistLighting Technician (Lighting Tech)Production TechnicianRigging Electrical Lighting Technician (RELT)Set Lighting Technician (Set Lighting Tech)Sound and Lighting Technician (Sound and Lighting Tech)Spotlight OperatorStage ElectricianStage Lighting TechnicianStage Technician (Stage Tech)StagehandTheater TechnicianVideo Lighting Technician