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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Lighting Artist in California is $64,766 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.
However, a Senior Lighting Artist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Senior Lighting Artist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $72,492 | $6,041 | $1,394 | $35 |
| Average | $64,766 | $5,397 | $1,246 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,620 | $4,802 | $1,108 | $28 |
REXEL - Livermore, CA
TP-Link Systems Inc. - Irvine, CA
Luna Lux - Laguna Niguel, CA
WSP - San Francisco, CA
A Senior Lighting Artist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Senior Lighting Artist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Audio Vis... Level Senior Lighting Artist | $55,033 |
| Senior Li... Level Senior Lighting Artist | $64,198 |
| Audio Vis... Level Senior Lighting Artist | $78,134 |
| Audio Vis... Level Senior Lighting Artist | $96,519 |
| Audio Vis... Level Senior Lighting Artist | $92,183 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Senior Lighting Artists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Senior Lighting Artist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 85% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Senior Lighting Artist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Lighting Artist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $84,196 | $40.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $80,958 | $39.0 | 25% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $79,015 | $38.0 | 22% |
| Biotechnology | $77,720 | $37.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $76,424 | $37.0 | 18% |
Understanding how a Senior Lighting Artist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $72,492 | $6,041 | $1,394 | $35 |
| Average | $64,766 | $5,397 | $1,246 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,620 | $4,802 | $1,108 | $28 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Senior Lighting Artist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
WSP
Irvine, CA
WSP | Irvine, CA
This OpportunityJoin our Lighting Design team and be a part of a growing organization that meets client needs and solves complex challenges. Our devotion t... more
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Success Matcher Recruitment
San Francisco, CA
Success Matcher Recruitment | San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Our client is behind the. 1 collectibles app on iOS. sitting right at the intersection of technology, entertainment, and ... more
1 Day Ago
Bellota Labs
Redwood City, CA
Bellota Labs | Redwood City, CA
Job Description. Job Description. At Bellota Labs, we’re building the future of online poker with ClubWPT Gold — a skill-based, strategy-driven platform fr... more
2 Days Ago
Mad Engine Global LLC
Burbank, CA
Mad Engine Global LLC | Burbank, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Position Summary. The Senior Graphic Designer is a key creative contributor within Mad Engine Global’s Disney Parks & Res... more
5 Days Ago
Disney Experiences
Glendale, CA
Disney Experiences | Glendale, CA
Sr. Manager, Lead Concept ArtistAbout the Role & TeamDisney Digital Entertainment, a division of Disney Experiences, is embarking on a mission to create th... more
1 Day Ago
Blizzard Entertainment
Irvine, CA
Blizzard Entertainment | Irvine, CA
A leading gaming company is seeking a Senior Technical Artist to support the Hearthstone team.You will bridge Art and Engineering, ensuring the game's uniq... more
5 Days Ago
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