Lighting Technician salary in California
Lighting Technicians in California earn a median of $94,070 a year ($45.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,950 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,610 for the top 10%. That is 38% higher than the national median of $68,060. California ranks 2nd of 27 states for lighting technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.16 lighting technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,240, close to the median.
Pay range for lighting technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,910 | $24.48 |
| 25th percentile | $61,040 | $29.34 |
| Median | $94,070 | $45.22 |
| 75th percentile | $109,560 | $52.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,610 | $76.74 |
| Average (mean) | $93,240 | $44.83 |
Half of lighting technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,839.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,919.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,618.08 |
| Weekly | $1,809.04 |
| Hourly | $45.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lighting Technician salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $105,010 | 2,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $74,000 | 320 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $70,970 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $61,040 | 130 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $60,950 | 60 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $58,510 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for lighting technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $126,100 |
| California | $94,070 |
| New Jersey | $87,550 |
| New York | $78,000 |
| Connecticut | $72,450 |
| Georgia | $70,150 |
| Oklahoma | $67,110 |
| Louisiana | $66,840 |
| Florida | $62,190 |
| Nevada | $61,250 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Film and Video Editors | $88,490 | $42.54 |
| Photographer | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $106,900 | $51.39 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $78,150 | $37.57 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| Broadcast Technician | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Editor | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-4015. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lighting technician make in California?
The median salary for lighting technicians in California is $94,070 a year, or $45.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lighting technicians make in California?
The top 10% of lighting technicians in California earn at least $159,610 a year. The top 25% earn $109,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for lighting technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,910 a year, and a quarter of lighting technicians earn $61,040 or less.
How many lighting technicians work in California?
About 2,950 lighting technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.