How to become a Lighting Technician
Official title: 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.
How to become one
Broadcast, sound, and video technicians typically need postsecondary education. Depending on the work they do, educational requirements may vary.
Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Certificate or associate's degree: Postsecondary nondegree award. Programs such as Photographic and Film/Video Technology/Technician; Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $68,060 a year The middle half earn $52,770 to $95,640.
- About 9,900 people work in this job now, and about 9,400 are projected by 2035. (-4.8%)
- People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Lighting Technician?
Broadcast, sound, and video technicians typically need postsecondary education. Depending on the work they do, educational requirements may vary.
How much does a Lighting Technician earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $68,060 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $52,770 to $95,640.
Is a Lighting Technician a growing career in the US?
Employment is projected to fall 5% by 2035, from about 9,900 to about 9,400 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Lighting Technician?
Not always. 44% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Will AI change the work of a Lighting Technician?
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.