Lighting technicians hang, circuit, color and focus the lighting design for each show. The hang part of the job involves physically hanging each light needed in the appropriate space in the theater. Circuiting requires plugging each light into the proper outlet, or circuit, and ensuring that the electrical capacity of the circuit is not overloaded. The technicians then aim the lights at the appropriate places on stage (focus) and place any color filters or projection patterns into the appropriate slots in the lighting instruments.
Lighting technician work varies by theater. Technicians who work in theaters that produce their own shows often work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. standard days, while those who work in theaters that are rented to outside groups often have flexible hours and may be required to work late nights, early mornings and split shifts. Lifting items that are 25 to 50 pounds is a common part of the lighting technician's work day, as is working at significant heights on ladders, lifts and catwalks.
A thorough understanding of electrical safety is required of lighting technicians, as they may be called upon to repair elements of the lighting system. They must also be able to work safely at heights and follow current regulations set by the theater and federal governing agencies, such as OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Hand tool skills with equipment, such as wrenches and screwdrivers, is required, and basic electrical skills, such as replacing lamp sockets or fixing wire connectors, are necessary. Lighting technicians must also understand how each type of lighting instrument works, including all adjustments and limitations.
A bachelor's degree in theater arts is beneficial for lighting technicians, but the most important part of lighting technician training is on-the-job experience. This can be acquired through taking lighting courses at a college, interning with a professional theater or volunteering with a theater company that handles its own lighting. To qualify for work at a union-governed theater, lighting technicians must work a certain number of hours (the number varies by location) and pass a written exam. While union theaters are allowed to hire temporary non-union workers under certain conditions, union certification through the local chapter of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is beneficial to job-seekers in the field.
Lighting technicians in the United States average between $27,933 and $45,672 in annual earnings, according to PayScale.com. The bulk of lighting technicians' earnings often come from overtime pay, with workers receiving 150 percent of the normal pay rate for daily shifts longer than eight hours or for work performed after 12 a.m., in many cases.