Lighting Technician salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Lighting Technicians in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median of $74,000 a year ($35.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,520 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $68,060. Pay here is 21% lower than the California statewide median of $94,070. There are 0.14 lighting technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lighting technicians in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| 25th percentile | $67,550 | $32.48 |
| Median | $74,000 | $35.58 |
| 75th percentile | $103,530 | $49.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,520 | $66.60 |
| Average (mean) | $89,610 | $43.08 |
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 | $6,166.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,083.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,846.15 |
| Weekly | $1,423.08 |
| Hourly | $35.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Lighting Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $105,010 | 2,040 |
| 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 |
See Lighting Technician pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $75,540 | $36.32 |
| Photographer | $58,840 | $28.29 |
| Film and Video Editors | $109,930 | $52.85 |
| Broadcast Technician | $77,790 | $37.40 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $94,990 | $45.67 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $110,780 | $53.26 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $98,500 | $47.35 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $102,520 | $49.29 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $54,770 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $130,640 | $62.81 |
| Graphic Designer | $92,050 | $44.25 |
| Art Director | $165,210 | $79.43 |
| Editor | $102,940 | $49.49 |
| Interior Designer | $87,460 | $42.05 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median salary for lighting technicians in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $74,000 a year, or $35.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lighting technicians make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The top 10% of lighting technicians in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn at least $138,520 a year. The top 25% earn $103,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for lighting technicians in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,290 a year, and a quarter of lighting technicians earn $67,550 or less.
How many lighting technicians work in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
About 320 lighting technicians are employed in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.