Lighting Technician salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Lighting Technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $63,090 a year ($30.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,960 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $68,060. Pay here is 5% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $60,340. There are 0.05 lighting technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lighting technicians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| 25th percentile | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| Median | $63,090 | $30.33 |
| 75th percentile | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,960 | $39.88 |
| Average (mean) | $67,390 | $32.40 |
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 | $5,257.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,628.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,426.54 |
| Weekly | $1,213.27 |
| Hourly | $30.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $56,880 | 40 |
| Richmond, VA | $55,220 | 30 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $50,030 | 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Audio and Video Technicians | $74,380 | $35.76 |
| Photographer | $54,530 | $26.22 |
| Broadcast Technician | $75,010 | $36.06 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Film and Video Editors | $91,750 | $44.11 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $83,320 | $40.06 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $101,680 | $48.88 |
| Editor | $84,800 | $40.77 |
| Graphic Designer | $85,420 | $41.07 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,680 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $100,270 | $48.21 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $101,020 | $48.57 |
| Technical Writer | $99,910 | $48.03 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for lighting technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $63,090 a year, or $30.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lighting technicians make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of lighting technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $82,960 a year. The top 25% earn $75,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for lighting technicians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,930 a year, and a quarter of lighting technicians earn $55,290 or less.
How many lighting technicians work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 150 lighting technicians are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.