ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Theatrical Lighting Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

legence

Lighting Designer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

... Designer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have recent architectural lighting design ... theatrical lighting) and 2 - 3 years of professional lighting experience. Successful candidate will ...

SmartSource

Lighting Designer

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

Lighting Designer SmartSource ® , an ABCOM Technology Group company, has more than 35 years of ... What You Bring: * 3-5 years of experience in live event production, theatrical lighting, or ...

SmartSource

Lighting Designer

Glendale Heights, IL · On-site

Lighting Designer SmartSource ® , an ABCOM Technology Group company, has more than 35 years of ... What You Bring: * 3-5 years of experience in live event production, theatrical lighting, or ...

SmartSource

Lighting Designer

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

Lighting Designer SmartSource ® , an ABCOM Technology Group company, has more than 35 years of ... What You Bring: * 3-5 years of experience in live event production, theatrical lighting, or ...

SmartSource

Lighting Designer

Glendale Heights, IL · On-site

Lighting Designer SmartSource ® , an ABCOM Technology Group company, has more than 35 years of ... What You Bring: * 3-5 years of experience in live event production, theatrical lighting, or ...

Legence

Lighting Designer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$72K - $88K/yr

... Designer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have recent architectural lighting design ... theatrical lighting) and 2 - 3 years of professional lighting experience. Successful candidate will ...

HLB Lighting Design

Lighting Designer

Culver City, CA · On-site

$76K - $81K/yr

Position is 70% designer / 30% project manager. Achieving Results - Project Responsibilities * Use ... or Theatrical Lighting or related education and experience * 2 to 4 years' experience

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsTheatrical Lighting Designer Jobs

Theatrical Lighting Designer information

See salary details

$16.5K

$60.8K

$110K

How much do theatrical lighting designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for theatrical lighting designer in the United States is $60,761.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $74,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a theatrical lighting designer do?

As a theatrical lighting designer (LD), your job is to select and install the lights for a theater, stage, or set. In this role, you set up each light and ensure its controls are functioning properly, help operate lighting equipment during theatrical productions, and direct other staff members when there is a problem with the lighting. Despite the implications of the name, being a theatre lighting designer is an extremely hands-on role that frequently involves things like electrical maintenance, using drafting software, and remaining up to date with recent theater lighting options. This job often requires working nights, weekends, and holidays to help meet business needs.

What does a theatrical lighting designer do?

A Theatrical Lighting Designer is responsible for creating the lighting plan for stage productions, including plays, musicals, and other live performances. They work closely with the director and other designers to develop lighting that enhances the mood, visibility, and dramatic effect of each scene. Their job involves selecting lighting equipment, designing light plots, programming cues, and overseeing the setup and operation during performances. They also collaborate with electricians and stage managers to ensure the lighting design is executed safely and effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a theatrical lighting designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Theatrical Lighting Designer, you need a strong background in lighting design principles, color theory, and stagecraft, often supported by a degree in theater or related experience. Proficiency with lighting consoles (such as ETC or GrandMA), CAD drafting software, and lighting visualization tools is typically required. Creativity, collaboration, and strong communication skills help designers interpret artistic vision and work effectively with directors and production teams. These skills ensure the creation of compelling visual environments that support storytelling and enhance live performances.

What are some common challenges faced by theatrical lighting designers during a production, and how are they typically addressed?

Theatrical lighting designers often face challenges such as working within tight schedules, adapting to last-minute changes, and coordinating with directors, set designers, and technical crews. Balancing artistic vision with budget constraints and equipment availability is also common. These challenges are typically addressed through clear communication, detailed planning, and flexibility—lighting designers attend rehearsals, participate in production meetings, and adjust their designs as necessary to ensure the lighting supports the overall vision of the show.

What is the difference between Theatrical Lighting Designer vs Stage Lighting Technician?

AspectTheatrical Lighting DesignerStage Lighting Technician
CredentialsLighting design degree or equivalent, portfolioTechnical training, certifications in lighting equipment
Work EnvironmentCreative, collaborative, design-focusedTechnical, installation, maintenance
Employer & IndustryTheaters, production companies, touring showsTheaters, live events, touring productions

Theatrical Lighting Designers focus on creating the visual concept and designing lighting schemes for performances, while Stage Lighting Technicians handle the technical setup, operation, and maintenance of lighting equipment. Both roles are essential in theater productions, but designers are more involved in the creative process, whereas technicians focus on execution and technical support.

More about Theatrical Lighting Designer jobs

What cities are hiring for Theatrical Lighting Designer jobs?

Cities with the most Theatrical Lighting Designer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Theatrical Lighting Designer jobs?

The most popular types of Theatrical Lighting Designer jobs are:

What states have the most Theatrical Lighting Designer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Theatrical Lighting Designer jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Theatrical Lighting Designer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Theatrical Lighting Designer jobs are:

Theatrical Lighting Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Theatrical Lighting Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,761 per year, or $29.2 per hour.

Lighting Designer

legence

El Segundo, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

Position Overview:

CMTA Lighting, a Business Unit of CMTA, formerly known as AMA Group, seeks an enthusiastic and creative Lighting Designer to join our team. The ideal candidate will have recent architectural lighting design training, or lighting adjacent design training (interiors / architecture / landscape architecture / theatrical lighting) and 2 – 3 years of professional lighting experience. Successful candidate will have knowledge of Revit and AGI. 

Role Responsibilities:

As a Lighting Designer you will be supporting the design team and projects in all aspects and phases. You will work alongside the design team in preparing documentation to present lighting, testing and validating the design with mock-ups and calculations, and having a key role executing technical documentation. While primarily a supportive role you will be expected to offer design input and owning a space in the growing studio. 

In your role, you will:

  • Assist in preparing clear and dynamically illustrated lighting design presentations
  • Engage in studio processes to develop innovative lighting concepts and designs tailored to client requirements
  • Technically document and detail design documents using Revit and AutoCAD
  • Use Adobe Creative Suite to present ideas, produce detailed lighting plans, and documentation for projects
  • Utilize AGI to photometrically model and test designs
  • Build mock-ups to test lighting conditions and evaluate project materials
  • Grow your technical skills and augment your professional capabilities
  • Conduct on-site evaluations to assess existing lighting conditions and make recommendations for improvement
  • Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and sustainable lighting practices

 

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Lighting Design, Interiors, or Architectural Design is required 

 

Experience:

  • 2-5 years of hands-on experience in lighting design
  • Proficiency in Revit and AGI software is required
  • Working knowledge with AutoCAD, Adobe Suites, Indesign, and photoshop 
  • Basic working knowledge of Architectural details related to lighting 
  • Strong portfolio demonstrating a creative application of light in space
  • Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
  • Exceptional problem-solving skills and attention to detail
  • Exuberant enthusiasm for lighting and the built environment

 

Salary: $72,000 - 88,000. This role is bonus eligible.

#LI-CM1 #LI-Onsite

Apply