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Job outlook for light technicians in the United States
Are light technician jobs in demand?
Light technician job and salary trends over time
Light technician jobs over time
Light technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,197 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,941 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 4,674 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4,799 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,597 | 0.00% |
Average light technician salary over time
Light technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $40,111 | $19.28 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $38,428 | $18.48 | +4.9% |
| 2023 | $36,637 | $17.61 | +3.7% |
| 2022 | $35,314 | $16.98 | --0.1% |
| 2021 | $35,348 | $16.99 | +1.9% |
Light technician jobs by state
Most common states for light technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 167 | 13% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 73 | 12% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 85 | 11% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 88 | 9% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 582 | 8% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 429 | 8% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 260 | 8% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 102 | 8% |
| 9 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 700 | 7% |
| 10 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 405 | 7% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 386 | 7% |
| 12 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 339 | 7% |
| 13 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 236 | 7% |
| 14 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 220 | 7% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 129 | 7% |
| 16 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 119 | 7% |
| 17 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 70 | 7% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 69 | 7% |
| 19 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 52 | 7% |
| 20 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 620 | 6% |
Most common cities for light technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daytona Beach | 1 | 2% | $34,547 |
| 2 | Sarasota | 1 | 2% | $34,585 |
| 3 | Duluth | 1 | 1% | $32,038 |
| 4 | Fort Lauderdale | 1 | 1% | $34,256 |
| 5 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $39,380 |
| 6 | Washington | 2 | 0% | $46,616 |
| 7 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $37,385 |
| 8 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $34,417 |
| 9 | Raleigh | 1 | 0% | $38,648 |
Light Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of light technician experts
University of Minnesota - Duluth
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
Scott Boyle
Associate Professor/Technical DirectorUniversity of Minnesota - Duluth
Drama/Theatre Arts And Stagecraft
What will help Light Technicians increase their earning potential?
Scott Boyle: As Theatres work at finding ways to draw their audiences, some companies will be leaning more and more into spectacle - automated scenery, flashy video walls, performer flying, using intelligent lighting, etc. The technology is getting cheaper and more within the reach of smaller companies. Don't stop learning about the technology in your field. Try to either work with companies who are using the gear or join professional organizations which can expose you to what is being used.
Dr. Brandon Vaccaro
Associate Teaching Professor of Music Coordinator, Sound Recording Technology University of Massachusetts LowellUniversity of Massachusetts - Lowell
Music
What general advice would you give to a Light Technician?
Dr. Brandon Vaccaro: Specifically in music technology and sound recording, there is a lot of buzz about AI, particularly AI tools that can facilitate workflows. Rather than replace creatives in the field, we will likely see these tools used by creatives as part of a streamlined workflow.
Also, immersive mixing is very much in vogue, with a strong push from Apple and others to increase the amount of available content. It remains to be seen whether this will be a lasting trend or another flash in the pan.