Lighting Technician salary in Tennessee
Lighting Technicians in Tennessee earn a median of $60,870 a year ($29.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,190 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $68,060. Tennessee ranks 11th of 27 states for lighting technicians pay. There are 0.09 lighting technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lighting technicians in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,140 | $20.74 |
| 25th percentile | $45,400 | $21.83 |
| Median | $60,870 | $29.27 |
| 75th percentile | $82,920 | $39.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,190 | $65.96 |
| Average (mean) | $75,390 | $36.24 |
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 | $5,072.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,536.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,341.15 |
| Weekly | $1,170.58 |
| Hourly | $29.27 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $62,790 | 160 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,970 | $24.02 |
| Photographer | $37,950 | $18.25 |
| Film and Video Editors | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $60,500 | $29.09 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Broadcast Technician | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $42,370 | $20.37 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,780 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,270 | $27.54 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Producers and Directors | $73,020 | $35.11 |
| Interior Designer | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| Editor | $59,550 | $28.63 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for lighting technicians in Tennessee is $60,870 a year, or $29.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lighting technicians make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of lighting technicians in Tennessee earn at least $137,190 a year. The top 25% earn $82,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for lighting technicians in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,140 a year, and a quarter of lighting technicians earn $45,400 or less.
How many lighting technicians work in Tennessee?
About 280 lighting technicians are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.