Lighting Technicians

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Arts, Design & Media
• O*NET-SOC code: 27-4015
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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 and technology

Autodesk AutoCAD, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Project, FileMaker Pro, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Programmable logic controller PLC software, Rockwell RSLogix, SAP Maintenance

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Electricians
• Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
• Helpers--Electricians
• Avionics Technicians
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Lighting Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.