Lighting Technicians in Illinois

Want to work as a Lighting Technicians in Illinois? Here’s what the data says. Set up, maintain, and dismantle light fixtures, lighting control devices, and the associated lighting electrical and rigging equipment used for photography, television, film, video, and live productions. May focus or operate light fixtures, or attach color filters or other lighting accessories. Excludes “Audio and Video Technicians” (27-4011).

What do Lighting Technicians Make in Illinois?

For a lighting technicians working in Illinois, the typical annual salary is $47,320 per year (or about $22.75/hour).Earnings range from $41,190 at the 10th percentile to $156,010 at the 90th percentile.

Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Illinois relative to the national average — is 0.57, meaning fewer lighting technicians per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, lighting technicians earn a median of $45,092 per year ($21.68/hour), exceeding the Illinois median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 88,113 lighting technicians in the U.S.. In Illinois alone, about 230 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 120 lighting technicians.

Top Illinois Metros for Lighting Technicians

The largest metro-area employers of lighting technicians in Illinois.

Top States for Lighting Technicians Employment

The table below shows the states where the most lighting technicians work.

Highest-Paying States for Lighting Technicians

The highest-paying states for lighting technicians.

Daily Tasks

Lighting Technicians typically:

• Assess safety of wiring or equipment set-up to determine the risk of fire or electrical shock.
• Consult with lighting director or production staff to determine lighting requirements.
• Disassemble and store equipment after performances.
• Install color effects or image patterns, such as color filters, onto lighting fixtures.
• Install electrical cables or wire fixtures.
• Load, unload, or position lighting equipment.
• Match light fixture settings, such as brightness and color, to lighting design plans.
• Notify supervisors when major lighting equipment repairs are needed.
• Operate manual or automated systems to control lighting throughout productions.
• Patch or wire lights to dimmers or other electronic consoles.
• Perform minor repairs or routine maintenance on lighting equipment, such as replacing lamps or damaged color filters.
• Program lighting consoles or load automated lighting control systems onto consoles.

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: Microsoft Office software

Related Careers

Careers similar to lighting technicians include:

• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Robotics Technicians
• Electricians
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
• Solar Photovoltaic Installers
• Helpers–Electricians

Also Known As

Controls Technician (Controls Tech), Dimmer Board Operator, Electrical Lighting Technician (ELT), Entertainment Lighting Technician, Entertainment Professional, Gaffer, Lamp Operator, Light Technician (Light Tech), Lighting Controls Technician, Lighting Designer, Lighting Engineer, Lighting Operator, Lighting Service Technician (Lighting Service Tech), Lighting Specialist, Lighting Technician (Lighting Tech).

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 27-4015.00