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Lighting Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

HLB Lighting Design

Lighting Designer

Culver City, CA · On-site

$76K - $81K/yr

Self-motivated and self-directed * Team player * Motivator * Dependable Education & Experience * Bachelor's degree or above in Lighting Design or Architectural Engineering or Architecture or Interior ...

HLB Lighting Design

Lighting Designer

Culver City, CA · On-site

$76K - $81K/yr

Self-motivated and self-directed * Team player * Motivator * Dependable Education & Experience * Bachelor's degree or above in Lighting Design or Architectural Engineering or Architecture or Interior ...

Stanford Hotels

Lighting Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$40/hr

Pay Range: $40.00-$43.00, overtime eligible The Lighting Designer will support the Director of Lighting Design on upcoming design projects. The ideal candidate is collaborative, pro-active, self ...

Hilton Waikiki Beach

Lighting Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$40/hr

Pay Range: $40.00-$43.00, overtime eligible The Lighting Designer will support the Director of Lighting Design on upcoming design projects. The ideal candidate is collaborative, pro-active, self ...

Hilton Waikiki Beach

Lighting Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$40/hr

Pay Range: $40.00-$43.00, overtime eligible The Lighting Designer will support the Director of Lighting Design on upcoming design projects. The ideal candidate is collaborative, pro-active, self ...

AlfaTech

Sr. Designer (Lighting)

Monrovia, CA · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

Direct and review the work of Junior Lighting Designers and Lighting Interns. * Adept at working in the field on a construction site. * Attend construction site walkthroughs and project team meetings.

AlfaTech

Sr. Designer (Lighting)

Monrovia, CA · On-site

Direct and review the work of Junior Lighting Designers and Lighting Interns. * Adept at working in the field on a construction site. * Attend construction site walkthroughs and project team meetings.

AlfaTech

Sr. Designer (Lighting)

Monrovia, CA · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

Direct and review the work of Junior Lighting Designers and Lighting Interns. * Adept at working in the field on a construction site. * Attend construction site walkthroughs and project team meetings.

AlfaTech

Sr. Designer (Lighting)

Monrovia, CA · Hybrid

Direct and review the work of Junior Lighting Designers and Lighting Interns. * Adept at working in the field on a construction site. * Attend construction site walkthroughs and project team meetings.

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Lighting Director information

See California salary details

$24.5K

$57.9K

$99.9K

How much do lighting director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for lighting director in California is $57,872.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,492.00 and $66,097.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lighting director do?

A Lighting Director is responsible for designing, coordinating, and executing the lighting for live events, television shows, theater productions, or film sets. They work closely with directors, producers, and set designers to create the right mood, visibility, and effects. Their job includes selecting lighting equipment, programming lighting cues, and overseeing a team of technicians to ensure smooth operation. Attention to detail, creativity, and technical expertise are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lighting director?

To thrive as a Lighting Director, you need a strong understanding of lighting design principles, electrical systems, and visual storytelling, often supported by experience in theatre, film, or television production. Proficiency with lighting consoles, DMX control systems, and lighting design software such as Vectorworks or Lightwright is typically required, and certifications like ETCP can be advantageous. Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills are essential for coordinating with directors, technicians, and other creative team members. These skills ensure effective execution of lighting plans that enhance the visual impact of live and recorded productions while maintaining safety and efficiency.

What are some typical challenges a lighting director might face during a production?

Lighting Directors often face challenges such as working within tight timeframes, adapting to unexpected changes in set design or schedules, and addressing technical issues like power limitations or malfunctioning equipment. They must quickly troubleshoot problems while ensuring that lighting cues align seamlessly with the overall production. Additionally, coordinating and communicating with directors, stage managers, and other departments is key to staying aligned on creative vision and logistics. The ability to stay calm under pressure and adjust plans as needed is crucial for maintaining a high-quality production environment.

How do you become a lighting director?

To become a lighting director, individuals typically gain experience by working in entry-level lighting or stage crew roles, develop skills in lighting design and operation, and often pursue training or certification in lighting technology or theater production. Building a strong portfolio and understanding of lighting equipment, such as consoles and fixtures, is essential for advancing in this field.

How much do lighting directors make?

Lighting directors typically earn a median annual salary of around $60,000 to $80,000, with experienced professionals or those working on large productions earning higher. Salaries can vary based on industry, location, and level of experience, and many lighting directors also receive additional compensation for overtime or special projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lighting jobs in California?

The most popular types of Lighting jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Lighting Director jobs in California?

For Lighting Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Lighting Director jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Lighting Director jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Lighting Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Lighting Director job openings:

Lighting Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lighting Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,872 per year, or $27.8 per hour.

Seasonal Part-Time Lighting Director

The National Football League

Inglewood, CA

$15.50 - $18.75/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

NFL Media, Technical Operations is looking for a Lighting Director for shows produced at NFL Media in Inglewood, CA. Qualified candidates will have experience working in multi-camera studio environments and have a general knowledge of lighting studio talent for live sports and key show programming.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with show Directors, Producers, Scenic, and Video teams - implementing and maintaining the specific look of various productions between multiple stages and remote locations.
  • Support stage lighting designs in tandem with our Scenic and Integrations teams.
  • Operation of ETC EOS consoles to playback and modify existing lighting looks.
  • Monitor show productions from shading room and consult with video operator as necessary.
  • Perform tech checks at the beginning of each shift to check for burnouts, repositioning of equipment and overall stage & grid maintenance.
  • Conduct and perform routine and preventive maintenance of lighting fixtures and boards.
  • Report technical and/or equipment issues to Studio Operations and Engineering teams.

Required Qualifications

  • 5-10 years of experience working in a studio environment; live & recorded productions.
  • Have working knowledge of studio lighting equipment and studio light design. Including exterior staging and lighting requirements during all day parts.
  • Have a creative eye and can improvise on the fly.
  • Knowledge of ETC EOS family lightboard(s) and controllers required.
  • Knowledge and understanding of lighting data protocols and networks, DMX-512, SACN and ETC NET3.
  • Knowledge of moving light fixtures, High End Systems, GLP.
  • Knowledge of LED broadcast fixtures: ETC, Chauvet, Arri, Cineo, ChromaQ.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
  • Ability to draft, read, and interpret lighting plots for new or existing sets.
  • Auto-Cad, Vectorworks, ETC Concert and Lightwright experience.
  • Advanced ETC EOS programming training.
  • Advanced ETC NET3 Networking training.
  • Ability to program lighting consoles and Network management.

Other Key Attributes / Characteristics

  • Familiarity and experience working with 1080p, HDR, UHD, and 4k studio environments a plus.
  • Interpersonal communication and organizational skills.
  • Strong technical/computer skills (Microsoft, Apple.)
  • Ability to "multi-task" various duties as necessary.
  • Be a team player and excel under pressure.

Physical Demands

  • Ability to work high above the ground, on lifts and/or ladders.
  • Must be able to lift 75lbs for up to 30 minutes at a time.
  • Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Ability to work in fast paced, stressful environments.

Travel

  • Limited

Terms / Expected Hours of Work

  • Flexible schedule to include early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • Less than 29 hours/week when needed.

Salary / Pay Range

This job posting contains a pay range, which represents the range of salaries or hourly rates that the NFL believes, in good faith, at the time of this posting that it might be willing to pay for the posted job in the location(s) specified. The NFL expects to hire for this position near the middle of the range. Only in truly rare and exceptional circumstances, where an external candidate has experience, credentials or expertise that far exceed those required or expected for the position, would the NFL consider paying a salary or rate near the higher end of the range. 

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