Lighting Technician salary in New York
Lighting Technicians in New York earn a median of $78,000 a year ($37.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,000 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $68,060. New York ranks 4th 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 $86,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lighting technicians in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 25th percentile | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| Median | $78,000 | $37.50 |
| 75th percentile | $105,660 | $50.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,000 | $63.94 |
| Average (mean) | $86,010 | $41.35 |
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 | $6,500 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,250 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,000 |
| Weekly | $1,500 |
| Hourly | $37.50 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $87,510 | 720 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $67,080 | 50 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Film and Video Editors | $103,440 | $49.73 |
| Photographer | $60,050 | $28.87 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $93,410 | $44.91 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $87,510 | $42.07 |
| Broadcast Technician | $78,840 | $37.90 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $76,020 | $36.55 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,250 | $39.06 |
| Producers and Directors | $107,550 | $51.71 |
| Editor | $101,480 | $48.79 |
| Graphic Designer | $77,340 | $37.19 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $59,920 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,660 | $20.99 |
| Art Director | $137,320 | $66.02 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for lighting technicians in New York is $78,000 a year, or $37.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lighting technicians make in New York?
The top 10% of lighting technicians in New York earn at least $133,000 a year. The top 25% earn $105,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for lighting technicians in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,000 a year, and a quarter of lighting technicians earn $55,290 or less.
How many lighting technicians work in New York?
About 780 lighting technicians are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.