Lighting Technician salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Lighting Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $72,790 a year ($35.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,870 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $68,060. There are 0.03 lighting technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $79,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lighting technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| 25th percentile | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Median | $72,790 | $35.00 |
| 75th percentile | $112,490 | $54.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,870 | $56.67 |
| Average (mean) | $79,610 | $38.28 |
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 | $6,065.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,032.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,799.62 |
| Weekly | $1,399.81 |
| Hourly | $35.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lighting Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $64,330 | 60 |
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Photographer | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $102,370 | $49.22 |
| Broadcast Technician | $96,060 | $46.19 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $73,140 | $35.17 |
| Film and Video Editors | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $85,400 | $41.06 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Art Director | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Editor | $80,380 | $38.64 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for lighting technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $72,790 a year, or $35.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lighting technicians make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of lighting technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $117,870 a year. The top 25% earn $112,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for lighting technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,330 a year, and a quarter of lighting technicians earn $57,170 or less.
How many lighting technicians work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 130 lighting technicians are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.