Salaries for lighting technicians vary according to the technician's experience. Annual income is also determined by the number of projects a technician is hired for; the most experienced technicians can work year-round on a variety of projects, while those starting out may go weeks without work.
Audio and video equipment technicians (a category that includes those who work with lighting) earned annual salaries that ranged from less than $25,590 to $80,130 or more in May 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Those employed in the motion picture and video industries had mean annual earnings of $57,920, while those employed in television broadcasting made $46,310. Experienced technicians can negotiate for much higher wages.
Lighting technicians who are members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories, and Canada are guaranteed minimum wages per union contracts. In 2020, chief lighting technicians received hourly minimum rates of $50.32, while assistant chief lighting technicians earned $45.67 an hour. Union members are also entitled to certain health and retirement benefits.
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