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The differences between lighting designers and light technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a lighting designer, becoming a light technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a lighting designer has an average salary of $53,542, which is higher than the $40,111 average annual salary of a light technician.
The top three skills for a lighting designer include revit, photoshop and light fixtures. The most important skills for a light technician are ladders, hand tools, and light fixtures.
| Lighting Designer | Light Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $53,542 | $40,111 |
| Hourly rate | $25.74 | $19.28 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 46,203 | 31,530 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Lighting Designers are responsible for developing and implementing electrical and lighting systems. They are responsible for conducting site assessment and analysis, liaise with clients and engineers to determine technical specifications, design lighting plans, create budget reports for a project initiated, track progress targets, install electrical and lighting systems and ensures installation adheres to local energy regulation as well as building codes. Lighting designers work in commercial, industrial, or residential spaces and must demonstrate computer software proficiency such as AutoCAD and Adobe Creative Suites.
A light technician is responsible for controlling and setting up all the needed lighting production equipment used in a show or concert. This person acts as an assistant to the lighting engineer or designer who controls and determines what needs to be developed and enhanced. They are the technicians who operate the visual effects, color lights, control switch, reflectors, and dim lights in a live or recorded show. A light technician always keeps the lighting equipment in good shape and condition.
Lighting designers and light technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lighting Designer | Light Technician | |
| Average salary | $53,542 | $40,111 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $83,000 | Between $28,000 And $56,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Rivian | BlackRock |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a lighting designer and a light technician in terms of educational background:
| Lighting Designer | Light Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Theatre | Photography |
| Most common college | Stanford University | New Mexico State University |
Here are the differences between lighting designers' and light technicians' demographics:
| Lighting Designer | Light Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.0% Female, 35.0% | Male, 86.6% Female, 13.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 1.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.3% Asian, 10.1% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |