Lighting Technician salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Lighting Technicians in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $70,970 a year ($34.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,510 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $68,060. Pay here is 25% lower than the California statewide median of $94,070. There are 0.06 lighting technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lighting technicians in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| 25th percentile | $56,880 | $27.35 |
| Median | $70,970 | $34.12 |
| 75th percentile | $90,460 | $43.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,510 | $67.07 |
| Average (mean) | $80,480 | $38.69 |
Half of lighting technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,914.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,957.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,729.62 |
| Weekly | $1,364.81 |
| Hourly | $34.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $70,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Lighting Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $105,010 | 2,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $74,000 | 320 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $61,040 | 130 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $60,950 | 60 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $58,510 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for lighting technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $126,100 |
| California | $94,070 |
| New Jersey | $87,550 |
| New York | $78,000 |
| Connecticut | $72,450 |
| Georgia | $70,150 |
| Oklahoma | $67,110 |
| Louisiana | $66,840 |
| Florida | $62,190 |
| Nevada | $61,250 |
See Lighting Technician pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $73,100 | $35.15 |
| Photographer | $52,470 | $25.22 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $117,620 | $56.55 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $57,250 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $97,360 | $46.81 |
| Technical Writer | $140,700 | $67.65 |
| Art Director | $170,140 | $81.80 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $54,530 | $26.22 |
| Editor | $117,580 | $56.53 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $156,950 | $75.46 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $141,310 | $67.94 |
| Writers and Authors | $118,810 | $57.12 |
| Interior Designer | $85,140 | $40.93 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-4015. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lighting technician make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for lighting technicians in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $70,970 a year, or $34.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lighting technicians make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of lighting technicians in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $139,510 a year. The top 25% earn $90,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for lighting technicians in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,780 a year, and a quarter of lighting technicians earn $56,880 or less.
How many lighting technicians work in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
About 70 lighting technicians are employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.