Lighting technicians set up, operate, and maintain the lighting equipment that shapes performances, broadcasts, and events. The work is hands-on, technical, and creative. You can start with a high school diploma and on-the-job training.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Lighting technicians work behind the scenes to create the right mood and visibility for theater productions, concerts, film sets, television broadcasts, and live events. You'll install lighting fixtures, run lighting boards during performances, troubleshoot equipment problems, and collaborate with directors and other technical staff to achieve the desired visual effects. The role requires both technical knowledge of electrical systems and an eye for how light shapes an audience's experience. You might work in a theater, studio, concert venue, or on location.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Lighting Technicians earn a median of $68,060 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 800 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most lighting technicians start with a high school diploma or equivalent and learn on the job. Many begin as assistants or crew members in theaters, studios, or event venues, where they gain hands-on experience with equipment and workflows. Some pursue formal training through community colleges or specialized technical programs in lighting design or theater technology. As you gain experience, you'll develop the technical skills and creative judgment that lead to more advanced positions. Mentorship from experienced technicians is common in this field.
Lighting technician roles range from entry-level crew positions to specialized technical and design roles. The path depends on where you want to work and how quickly you want to advance, so if you are exploring your options, Pathly can map the lighting technician path that fits you and turn it into a step-by-step plan with your counselor.
You do not need a license to work as a lighting technician, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to hands-on, practical work that involves tools, equipment, and real-world problem-solving. You like seeing the direct results of your effort.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).