Career comparison
Lighting Technician vs. Sound Engineer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Sound engineers earn more at the median ($73,130 vs. $68,060), while lighting technicians usually get to work faster (6 months–2 years of training). Lighting technicians set up, program and run lighting for stages, film sets and events. Sound engineers record, mix and master sound for music, film, broadcast and live events.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Lighting Technician | Sound Engineer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $68,060 ($32.72/hr) | $73,130 ($35.16/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $42,310 – $130,760 | $37,570 – $137,370 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -4.8% (a projected decline) | -3.1% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 600 | 1,000 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 6 months–2 years | 6 months–2 years |
| Key credential | ETCP Entertainment Electrician | Avid Pro Tools certification |
| Work setting | Lighting techs work in theaters, concert venues, studios and film sets, often at heights and late at night.. | Engineers work in recording studios, film sets, broadcast facilities, theaters and concert venues.. |
What each job does
Lighting Technician
- Hang and focus lighting fixtures
- Run cable and power distribution
- Program lighting consoles
- Operate cues during shows
- Maintain and repair equipment
Sound Engineer
- Set up microphones and recording equipment
- Record sessions
- Edit audio tracks
- Mix and balance sound
- Master final recordings
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, creative work, and shift work. Both are part of the arts, media & design field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose lighting technician if…
- I love theater, concerts or film
- I like technical work
- I’m comfortable at heights
Choose sound engineer if…
- I love music or sound
- I have a good ear
- I enjoy technical equipment
Still torn? Take the Lighting Technician fit quiz and the Sound Engineer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, lighting technician or sound engineer?
Sound Engineers earn more at the median: $73,130 versus $68,060 for lighting technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Lighting Technicians typically train faster (6 months–2 years) than sound engineers (6 months–2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects sound engineers to grow -3.1% from 2025–35, compared with -4.8% for lighting technicians.