Career comparison
Audio and Video Technician vs. Lighting Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Lighting technicians earn more at the median ($68,060 vs. $58,100), while audio and video technicians usually get to work faster (3–12 months of training). Audio and video technicians set up and run sound, video and lighting for events, meetings and productions. Lighting technicians set up, program and run lighting for stages, film sets and events.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Audio and Video Technician | Lighting Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $58,100 ($27.93/hr) | $68,060 ($32.72/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,990 – $100,650 | $42,310 – $130,760 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.9% (about as fast as average) | -4.8% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 6,600 | 600 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 3–12 months | 6 months–2 years |
| Key credential | AVIXA CTS | ETCP Entertainment Electrician |
| Work setting | Technicians work in event venues, offices, schools, churches and studios, often lifting equipment and working long days.. | Lighting techs work in theaters, concert venues, studios and film sets, often at heights and late at night.. |
What each job does
Audio and Video Technician
- Set up audio, video and lighting equipment
- Run sound and video during events
- Operate streaming and recording systems
- Troubleshoot technical problems
- Test and maintain equipment
Lighting Technician
- Hang and focus lighting fixtures
- Run cable and power distribution
- Program lighting consoles
- Operate cues during shows
- Maintain and repair equipment
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, teamwork, and shift work. Both are part of the arts, media & design field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose audio and video technician if…
- I like technology and events
- I stay calm when things break
- I can lift equipment
Choose lighting technician if…
- I love theater, concerts or film
- I like technical work
- I’m comfortable at heights
Still torn? Take the Audio and Video Technician fit quiz and the Lighting Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, audio and video technician or lighting technician?
Lighting Technicians earn more at the median: $68,060 versus $58,100 for audio and video technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Audio and Video Technicians typically train faster (3–12 months) than lighting technicians (6 months–2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects audio and video technicians to grow +3.9% from 2025–35, compared with -4.8% for lighting technicians.