California Median
$94,070
per year
Hourly Rate
$45.23
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+38% vs US median
US median $68,060
State Rank
#2 of 27
2,950 employed here
How much does a Lighting Technician make in California?
Lighting Technicians in California take home a median of $94,070 annually — roughly $45.23 an hour — which runs 38% above the national median of $68,060.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $50,910 while the top 10% make $159,610 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,040 and $109,560 a year.
Lighting Technician salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,910 | $24.48 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $61,040 | $29.35 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $94,070 | $45.23 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $109,560 | $52.67 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,610 | $76.74 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 27 states and territories for Lighting Technician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Lighting Technician salary in other states
Washington $126,100New Jersey $87,550New York $78,000Connecticut $72,450Georgia $70,150Oklahoma $67,110Louisiana $66,840Florida $62,190Nevada $61,250Tennessee $60,870Virginia $60,340Michigan $60,210Massachusetts $60,110Oregon $57,900Pennsylvania $57,660Ohio $54,940Montana $54,870Texas $53,150Indiana $50,080Nebraska $49,860North Carolina $49,410Maryland $49,080Utah $49,080Kansas $48,790South Carolina $46,720Missouri $41,900
Working as a Lighting Technician in California
Nationally, about 9,000 people work as Lighting Technicians in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($94,070) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Lighting Technician make in California?
The median Lighting Technician salary in California is $94,070 per year, or about $45.23 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,910 at the entry level to $159,610 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Lighting Technicians about 38% more than the national median of $68,060. California ranks 2nd out of 27 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Lighting Technicians?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $94,070 a year. About 2,950 Lighting Technicians are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Lighting Technician salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.