Lighting Technician salary in New Jersey
Lighting Technicians in New Jersey earn a median of $87,550 a year ($42.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,380 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $68,060. New Jersey ranks 3rd of 27 states for lighting technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.08 lighting technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $90,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lighting technicians in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,220 | $30.40 |
| 25th percentile | $86,190 | $41.44 |
| Median | $87,550 | $42.09 |
| 75th percentile | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,380 | $52.59 |
| Average (mean) | $90,900 | $43.70 |
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 | $7,295.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,647.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,367.31 |
| Weekly | $1,683.65 |
| Hourly | $42.09 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $87,510 | 720 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $56,880 | 40 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Photographer | $40,520 | $19.48 |
| Film and Video Editors | $82,890 | $39.85 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $70,280 | $33.79 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $115,190 | $55.38 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $76,700 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $73,790 | $35.48 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,130 | $38.52 |
| Producers and Directors | $119,840 | $57.62 |
| Editor | $81,680 | $39.27 |
| Art Director | $129,200 | $62.12 |
| Interior Designer | $74,020 | $35.59 |
| Technical Writer | $122,320 | $58.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for lighting technicians in New Jersey is $87,550 a year, or $42.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lighting technicians make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of lighting technicians in New Jersey earn at least $109,380 a year. The top 25% earn $102,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for lighting technicians in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,220 a year, and a quarter of lighting technicians earn $86,190 or less.
How many lighting technicians work in New Jersey?
About 340 lighting technicians are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.