How To Become A Lighting Equipment Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a lighting equipment operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

The next time you ooh and ahh at the lights at a concert, play, or club, don't forget to pay credit to the lighting equipment operator that's behind the visual magic. Commonly found in the entertainment and events industry, lighting equipment operators are the professionals that control lighting equipment and other visual equipment like video, LEDs, and background lighting.

Aside from controlling light and auxiliary equipment, lighting equipment operators may be responsible for creating light shows, designing sets (in terms of lighting), and maintaining equipment to ensure that they work properly. They work closely with other stage professionals like set designers, audio engineers, stage directors, and sometimes even the performers.

There is no defined career path to become a lighting equipment operator. A high school diploma may be enough to qualify for a job, but some employers prefer candidates with at least a bachelor's or associate's degree. Experience is much more important, as it teaches the technical skills and industry knowledge that are essential to becoming an excellent lighting equipment operator.

The average annual salary of a lighting equipment operator is $32,000. Most jobs are located in areas that have booming entertainment and event industries, such as California, Florida, and New York.

ScoreLighting Equipment OperatorUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $38,105

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.9

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.88%

Asian 0.93%

Black or African American 7.05%

Hispanic or Latino 18.49%

Unknown 4.33%

White 67.32%

Gender

female 15.30%

male 84.70%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

6.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a lighting equipment operator

Explore lighting equipment operator education requirements

Most common lighting equipment operator degrees

High School Diploma

47.5 %

Bachelor's

19.9 %

Associate

14.5 %

Start to develop specific lighting equipment operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Production Runs	14.70%
Routine Maintenance	10.96%
Safety Rules	6.08%
Loaders	6.06%
Hand Tools	5.41%

Complete relevant lighting equipment operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New lighting equipment operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a lighting equipment operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real lighting equipment operator resumes.

Research lighting equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
Operate and maintain forklift, bobcat, backhoe, and loader.
Light equipment operator (i.e., forklift, backhoe, augers, excavator, bobcat, etc .).
Operate machines to spread, smooth, level, or steel- reinforce stone, concrete, or asphalt on road beds.

Prepare your lighting equipment operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your lighting equipment operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a lighting equipment operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable lighting equipment operator resume templates

Build a professional lighting equipment operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your lighting equipment operator resume.