What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Lighting Technicians in the U.S. earn more than $68,060 a year — the middle 80% land between $42,310 and $130,760. About 8,900 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Lighting Technicians”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$68,060typical pay / year
8,900people in this work
$130,760+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Move5
Communicate with Lighting Designer
+Send a clear status update to Maria the lighting designer: list installed fixtures, confirmed power feeds,…
Communicate with Lighting Designer
+Send a clear status update to Maria the lighting designer: list installed fixtures, confirmed power feeds, outstanding rigging needs, and a requested call at 10 a.m. to finalise focus and color for the sunset sequence.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Setup lighting equipment
+Build the onsite lighting plot for tonight’s outdoor concert: place each fixture by riser number, note cable…
Setup lighting equipment
+Build the onsite lighting plot for tonight’s outdoor concert: place each fixture by riser number, note cable runs and distro locations, mark required safety points and the load per circuit, then print two copies for the crew.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Unload lighting equipment
+Unload the truck at the venue gate, inventory every case against the packing list, stage fixtures by zone…
Unload lighting equipment
+Unload the truck at the venue gate, inventory every case against the packing list, stage fixtures by zone with safety stands and labeled cables, note any damage and sign off with the stage manager before we roll to the rigging area.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Program and operate lighting control devices
+Program the lighting console patches and cues for the three-song set: assign fixtures to channels, build two…
Program and operate lighting control devices
+Program the lighting console patches and cues for the three-song set: assign fixtures to channels, build two intensity looks and two color macros, run through cue timings at slow speed, and log any required follow corrections.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Install color effects or image patterns
+Install the programmed color effects and image gobos across the park lighting run, align each fixture to the…
Install color effects or image patterns
+Install the programmed color effects and image gobos across the park lighting run, align each fixture to the artists' mockup, verify pixel mapping and DMX addressing, test the full sequence at dusk and log any fixtures needing lens or power adjustments.
The tools that do the workRockwell RSLogixO*NETWikipedia
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Fixing1
Install electrical cables or wire fixtures.
+Run and terminate the electrical feeder and branch cables for the courtyard fixtures, size and label each…
Install electrical cables or wire fixtures.
+Run and terminate the electrical feeder and branch cables for the courtyard fixtures, size and label each conductor to the lighting schedule, secure weatherproof connections, measure voltage drops under load and submit a clearance report before powering the circuit.
The tools that do the workSAP Maintenancejob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Adapt to artists' creative demands
+Work with the director and lead designer to revise the stage lighting plan so fixtures, color gels and focus…
Adapt to artists' creative demands
+Work with the director and lead designer to revise the stage lighting plan so fixtures, color gels and focus match the artist's new cues, list changes, flag any impossible requests, and confirm schedule for the evening load-in.
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Assess power needs
+Survey the venue power feeds and compile a load summary showing amps per circuit, total demand and spare…
Assess power needs
+Survey the venue power feeds and compile a load summary showing amps per circuit, total demand and spare capacity so production and the venue electrician can approve the final rig before lighting is hung.
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Prevent fire in a performance environment
+Walk the stage and backline to identify potential heat sources and combustible risks, mark safe clearances,…
Prevent fire in a performance environment
+Walk the stage and backline to identify potential heat sources and combustible risks, mark safe clearances, list required fire blankets or shields, and send the fire-prevention checklist to venue management for sign-off.
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Maintain dimmer equipment
+Inspect the dimmer racks, clean contacts, run a channel-by-channel test, replace any failing modules, and log…
Maintain dimmer equipment
+Inspect the dimmer racks, clean contacts, run a channel-by-channel test, replace any failing modules, and log serial numbers and firmware versions so the board is ready for tonight's show.
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De-rig electronic equipment
+Strip the stage of electronic fixtures after the last set, coil and label power and data cables, discharge…
De-rig electronic equipment
+Strip the stage of electronic fixtures after the last set, coil and label power and data cables, discharge capacitors where required, and update the inventory sheet before the truck load-out.
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Work with respect for own safety
+Refuse to enter unsafe conditions, don required PPE, document any hazards found during the rig, notify the…
Work with respect for own safety
+Refuse to enter unsafe conditions, don required PPE, document any hazards found during the rig, notify the production manager immediately, and record the incident and corrective steps in the site safety log.
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Set up, rig, and dismantle lighting equipment
+Stage the rig for tonight: mark positions, assemble trusses and lanterns, secure all clamps and safety…
Set up, rig, and dismantle lighting equipment
+Stage the rig for tonight: mark positions, assemble trusses and lanterns, secure all clamps and safety cables, run and label DMX and power tails to the distro, test each fixture lamp and gel, then dismantle and pack into the truck after the show ends.
The tools that do the workSAP Maintenancejob descriptionsO*NET
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Focus and hang lights
+Hang and focus the front washes and specials to match the director’s paper plan: install each fixture at its…
Focus and hang lights
+Hang and focus the front washes and specials to match the director’s paper plan: install each fixture at its plotted height, nail the beam centers to the marks, adjust shutters and focus to hit the prescribed key areas, then note final aim on the lighting plot.
The tools that do the workAutodesk AutoCADjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Manage power distribution
+Lay out and lock the power distro for the event: calculate total amperage per feed, run feeder cables from…
Manage power distribution
+Lay out and lock the power distro for the event: calculate total amperage per feed, run feeder cables from the stage snake to the generators, install ground fault protection, label breakers and phase, and log the load numbers on the distro board before curtain.
The tools that do the workProgrammable logic controller PLCjob descriptions
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Call cues during live shows
+Call the lighting cues from headset: follow the running order, announce cue numbers clearly to stage…
Call cues during live shows
+Call the lighting cues from headset: follow the running order, announce cue numbers clearly to stage management, execute fade timings and trims exactly as rehearsed, and confirm every cue complete before moving on to the next.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
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Use personal protection equipment
+Put on the full PPE for the shift: hard hat, harness clipped to an approved anchor, gloves and eye…
Use personal protection equipment
+Put on the full PPE for the shift: hard hat, harness clipped to an approved anchor, gloves and eye protection, inspect every fall arrest and lanyard, and refuse work if any gear shows wear or failed inspection marks.
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Prevent technical problems with lighting equipment
+Prevent tech failures by running a pre-show systems check: megger or continuity test cables, replace worn…
Prevent technical problems with lighting equipment
+Prevent tech failures by running a pre-show systems check: megger or continuity test cables, replace worn connectors, lamp-test spares in the lamp board, cycle dimmer racks and patch consoles, and write any faulted items onto the repair list before curtain.
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Prepare personal work environment
+Set up my van and work vest for today’s site at Riverside Amphitheatre: lay out harness, gloves, helmet,…
Prepare personal work environment
+Set up my van and work vest for today’s site at Riverside Amphitheatre: lay out harness, gloves, helmet, multimeter, spare bulbs and gels, labelled cable ties and fire blanket, check battery chargers and toolbag, then photograph the kit and note any missing item before driving off.
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Focus lighting equipment
+On arrival at Riverside Amphitheatre, rig a 3-light wash on the downstage truss to the director’s reference…
Focus lighting equipment
+On arrival at Riverside Amphitheatre, rig a 3-light wash on the downstage truss to the director’s reference frame: swap in the ordered lenses, gel the fixtures to match the colour board, focus each to hit the actor positions without spill, verify beam angles with the gaffer and lock safety cables.
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Says who?
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses