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Job outlook for lighting designers in the United States
Are lighting designer jobs in demand?
Lighting designer job and salary trends over time
Lighting designer jobs over time
Lighting designer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,205 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,453 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 3,759 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 3,808 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3,585 | 0.00% |
Average lighting designer salary over time
Lighting designer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $53,542 | $25.74 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $51,487 | $24.75 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $49,768 | $23.93 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | $49,305 | $23.70 | --2.7% |
| 2021 | $50,665 | $24.36 | +1.0% |
Lighting designer jobs by state
Most common states for lighting designers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 189 | 27% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 705 | 10% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 613 | 9% |
| 4 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 389 | 9% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 637 | 8% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 368 | 7% |
| 7 | California | 39,536,653 | 2,524 | 6% |
| 8 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,123 | 6% |
| 9 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 671 | 6% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 326 | 6% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 200 | 6% |
| 12 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 86 | 6% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 63 | 6% |
| 14 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 651 | 5% |
| 15 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 490 | 5% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 330 | 5% |
| 17 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 300 | 5% |
| 18 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 64 | 5% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 44 | 5% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 30 | 5% |
Most common cities for lighting designers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $48,409 |
| 2 | Los Angeles | 2 | 0% | $60,656 |
| 3 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $58,111 |
| 4 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $68,571 |
| 5 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $51,449 |
| 6 | Irvine | 1 | 0% | $59,702 |
| 7 | New York | 1 | 0% | $60,506 |
| 8 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $70,672 |
Lighting Designer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of lighting designer experts
Kansas State University
Florida International University
University of Utah
Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY
Stephen F. Austin State University
Vibhavari Jani
Associate ProfessorKansas State University
Interior Architecture and Industrial Design
What hard/technical skills are most important for Lighting Designers?
Vibhavari Jani: Ability to master various software: Revit, Rhyno, Sketchup, 3D rendering software (Enscape and Lunion), BIM.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Lighting Designer job market given the pandemic?
Katie Rothfield: The post-COVID-19 job market for interior architecture/design majors largely mirrors what we are seeing in each respective industry: while some trades, such as hospitality and cruise ship, are seeing a downturn or outright freeze in work, other sectors, such as law, were unaffected by the pandemic and are still operating and hiring at normal speed. Likewise, just as there is a great demand for healthcare workers, demand is also high for interior designers with strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of innovative sustainable design practices, building systems, technology, and psychology/theory who can address issues related to indoor air quality, viral transmission on surfaces, and social distancing.
In addition, corporations will need interior designers to study and respond to new remote and in-person work patterns and rethink the future design of the office, and with so many people spending countless hours at home, there is increased interest and demand in the residential design market.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Lighting Designers?
Sonia Albert Sobrino: Understanding how collaborative endeavors take off and focusing on entrepreneurship is fundamental. Any course, certificate or training that helps young filmmakers and visual artists understand the process of creation from a collaborative standpoint is going to be most rewarding. We are at the height of independent creation, recent graduates have the tools and knowledge to make, they just have to use those instruments to identify needs and satisfy them. In film, specializing in cinematography, be that, earlier on, through lighting or camera work; or on editing and graphic design can help proficient artists start joint successful endeavors and/or increase their hiring potential. Furthermore, interdisciplinary opportunities that put together specialized forces from different, but relating fields, will quite likely better their job prospects. Working together, expanding and adding on individual strengths is the answer.
Carmita Sanchez-Fong
Professor and ChairpersonFashion Institute of Technology, SUNY
Interior Design Department
How do you envision technology impacting Lighting Designers in the next 5 years?
Carmita Sanchez-Fong: Interior design is a lifestyle. Our industry's challenge is going to be humanizing technology, making it seamless, part of the story and the experience. From digital connectivity to greater adoption of automation, increased public health awareness, cashless behaviors, the proliferation of on-demand apps, facial and speech recognition, touchless technology, grab-and-do behaviors, memorable virtual experiences, immersive more personal environments, etc. all will affect our industry, in one way or another. Technology is the tool that is making the new ordinary possible.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Lighting Designers to find work opportunities?
Carmita Sanchez-Fong: Wherever there are people, there is a need for interior design innovation. Our students are all over the United States and abroad. Keep in mind that each state and city has a vastly different population size, infrastructure, income levels, behaviors, trends, and even level of sophistication. Do your research. Do not pick the place that pays you the most. Pick a location outside of your comfort zone that will challenge your skills and support your growth as a person and designer.
Nathaniel Walker
Assistant ProfessorStephen F. Austin State University
Human Sciences Department
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Lighting Designers to find work opportunities?
Nathaniel Walker: Given our interior design program is in the state of Texas, graduates have the option of working in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, or Austin markets. The industry is multi-faceted, such that a graduate could choose to work in an interior design firm, work as furniture designers, lighting designers, kitchen & bath designers, exhibition design, and even in architectural offices offering interior design services. If a graduate chooses, there is always the option to relocate to other lucrative markets emphasizing interiors like Las Vegas, Reno, Atlantic City, and other metropolitan areas heavy in banking, hospitality, healthcare, and retail design.