Lighting Technicians Salary
Lighting Technicians in Washington make a median of $126,100 a year, or about $60.63 an hour. The range runs from $73K at the entry level to $175K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $123,615 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 22.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $126K get you in Washington?
About lighting technicians
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for lighting technicians, local pay runs about 85% higher than the U.S. median of $68K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 22.7% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Washington offers a genuinely strong financial position for lighting technicianss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level lighting technicians (10th percentile) start around $73K. Mid-career wages sit at $126K. Top earners bring in $175K or more, a $102K spread from bottom to top.
Lighting Technicians salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $126K | +0% | 70 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lighting technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $126K, rent takes 22.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for lighting technicians in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new lighting technicians typically earn — is $73K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,379/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 42% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is lighting technician a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 85% above the national median — $126K here vs. $68K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for lighting technicians?
Washington pays $126K median vs. the U.S. average of $68K — that’s +85%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $124K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do lighting technicians make in Washington?
The median is $126,100 a year, that works out to about $61 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $72,980, and experienced lighting technicians can clear $175,010. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $126K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,079/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 22.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a lighting technicians salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median lighting technicians salary is worth about $123,615 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.