Lighting Technician salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Lighting Technicians in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $61,040 a year ($29.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,360 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $68,060. Pay here is 35% lower than the California statewide median of $94,070. 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 $61,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lighting technicians in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,690 | $19.56 |
| 25th percentile | $49,760 | $23.92 |
| Median | $61,040 | $29.34 |
| 75th percentile | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,360 | $39.59 |
| Average (mean) | $61,460 | $29.55 |
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 | $5,086.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,543.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,347.69 |
| Weekly | $1,173.85 |
| Hourly | $29.34 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Lighting Technician pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| Photographer | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $56,730 | $27.27 |
| Film and Video Editors | $83,480 | $40.13 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $56,580 | $27.20 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $63,020 | $30.30 |
| Broadcast Technician | $62,750 | $30.17 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,230 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,240 | $39.06 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| Producers and Directors | $99,520 | $47.85 |
| Interior Designer | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Editor | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| Art Director | $126,050 | $60.60 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for lighting technicians in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $61,040 a year, or $29.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lighting technicians make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of lighting technicians in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $82,360 a year. The top 25% earn $65,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for lighting technicians in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,690 a year, and a quarter of lighting technicians earn $49,760 or less.
How many lighting technicians work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 130 lighting technicians are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.