Lighting Technician
Sets up and controls lighting equipment for film or live events.
Work Profile
Salary Growth
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🔒 Unlock Financial RealityCore Skills and Tools
These are the practical tools, systems, math, and AI skills used in Lighting Technician roles.
Core Skills
Industry Knowledge
Requirements
Systems & Software
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Build My Pivot Plan →Other Potential Career Pivot Paths
Many professionals start in Lighting Technician roles and later move into higher-paying or more specialized careers by developing additional skills.
AV Technician
Move into a practical adjacent role supporting audio video and presentation systems with overlapping event skills. It is a common transition from lighting support.
Typical Salary: $60k-$95k
Skills Needed: AV setup, troubleshooting, event support, cabling
Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
View Career →How to Get Hired
This section focuses on practical readiness: what skills matter, what tools or certifications may help, and what you can do now to become more employable.
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- Real projects to build experience
AI Impact & Task Breakdown
Low; physical rigging and onsite adjustments.
How to Stay Valuable
- Develop judgment, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Learn how AI tools can support this career instead of ignoring them
- Move toward strategy, interpretation, and higher-value work over time
AI Scores
Based on 5 analyzed tasks
More likely automated
- Program lighting cues
- Maintain fixtures and cables
Still requires human judgment
- Troubleshoot control issues
- Operate lighting during events
How AI Affects This Job
This career includes a mix of tasks. Some are becoming more automated, while others are becoming more valuable because they require human expertise.
Set up lighting equipment
Hang patch and power fixtures according to event or production plans
Likely adoption: 5-10 years
Program lighting cues
Build cue stacks and timing changes for shows presentations or broadcasts
Likely adoption: 3-5 years
Troubleshoot control issues
Diagnose DMX power or fixture problems during rehearsal and live operation
Likely adoption: 5-10 years
Maintain fixtures and cables
Clean test and repair equipment between productions or events
Likely adoption: 3-5 years
Operate lighting during events
Run boards follow cue sheets and respond to live show changes
Likely adoption: 5-10 years
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