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Lighting Technical Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Lighting Technical Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lighting Technical Director in the United States is $140,059 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.

However, a Lighting Technical Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $185,833
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $129,211 to $164,019
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $119,334
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Lighting Technical Director Salaries

A Lighting Technical Director'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Lighting Technical Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lighting Technical Director'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $55,908
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $77,398
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $85,968
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $133,686
  • Expert (over 8 years): $138,298
Levels Salary
Annuities... Level Lighting Technical Director$55,908
Annuities... Level Lighting Technical Director$77,398
Annuities... Level Lighting Technical Director$85,968
Annuity S... Level Lighting Technical Director$133,686
Lighting ... Level Lighting Technical Director$138,298
View as Graph

How Do Lighting Technical Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Lighting Technical Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $155,073.
  • California: $154,485.
  • Massachusetts: $152,426.

Top Paying Cities for Lighting Technical Directors

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:

  • San Jose: $176,656
  • San Francisco: $174,722
  • Oakland: $171,040

What Skills Can Increase a Lighting Technical Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 8.17% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Oncology (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): Designing, constructing, and repairing dental prosthetics and restorative and orthodontic devices to help patients correct dental conditions.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.18% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 8.17%
Oncology 1.46%
PowerPoint 1.18%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Lighting Technical Director's salary.

  • Client Relationship: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Salesforce: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Client Relationship $169,471
21%
Salesforce $169,471
21%
Innovation $165,270
18%
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Lighting Technical Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lighting Technical Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Lighting Technical Director positions in Insurance or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lighting Technical Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lighting Technical Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$210,088$101.050%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$147,062$71.05%

How Education impacts a Lighting Technical Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lighting Technical Directors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Lighting Technical Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $113,298 and $119,358).

Lighting Technical Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Lighting Technical Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.8%
High School 9.5%
Associates 11.9%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 23.8%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Lighting Technical Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lighting Technical Director'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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$129,211
Average $140,059/year
$164,019
$10,768
Average $11,672/month
$13,668
$2,485
Average $2,693/week
$3,154
$62
Average $67/hour
$79
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $164,019 $13,668 $3,154 $79
Average $140,059 $11,672 $2,693 $67
25th Percentile $129,211 $10,768 $2,485 $62

Most common benefits for Lighting Technical Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Lighting Technical Director

Here are companies hiring for Lighting Technical Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Lighting Technical Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lighting Technical Director?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Lighting Technical Director roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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