Lighting Technicians Salary in California
Lighting Technicians in California make a median of $74,670 a year, or about $35.9 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $135K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $75K get you in California?
About lighting technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level lighting technicians (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $75K.Top earners bring in $135K or more - a $88K spread from bottom to top.
Lighting Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $110K | +81% | 70 |
| Hawaii | $91K | +49% | 40 |
| New Jersey | $83K | +38% | 400 |
| New York | $83K | +37% | 910 |
| California | $75K | +23% | 3,330 |
| District of Columbia | $70K | +16% | 60 |
| Nevada | $64K | +6% | 350 |
| Oklahoma | $63K | +5% | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $62K | +2% | 120 |
| New Hampshire | $62K | +2% | 40 |
| New Mexico | $61K | +1% | 50 |
| Georgia | $59K | -3% | 240 |
| Tennessee | $57K | -5% | 410 |
| Pennsylvania | $57K | -6% | 260 |
| Michigan | $55K | -9% | N/A |
Track lighting technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do lighting technicians make in California?
The median is $74,670 a year - that works out to about $35.9 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,100, and experienced lighting technicians can clear $134,870. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $75K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,820/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 45.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a lighting technicians salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median lighting technicians salary is worth about $74,670 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do lighting technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.