Prevailing Wage for Lighting Technicians
Prevailing wage requirements for Lighting Technicians (SOC 27-4015) are set by the DOL using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data. The floor is divided into four experience levels, and the specific rate that applies to a sponsored position depends on the worksite city listed on the Labor Condition Application.
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Level 1 covers entry-level lighting technicians with limited hands-on production experience, typically working under close supervision on standard rigging, fixture setup, and strike tasks. Employers filing at this level must show the role does not require independent judgment or specialized technical knowledge.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for lighting technicians. It applies to candidates with solid production experience who can set up and focus fixtures, operate lighting control boards, and work with color filters independently across film, television, or live event environments.
Level 3 covers experienced lighting technicians who handle complex setups, mentor junior crew, and exercise significant technical judgment across multiple production formats. Positions requiring familiarity with advanced dimming systems, LED technology, or multi-venue touring typically fall at this level.
Level 4 applies to fully competent lighting technicians in senior or lead roles, responsible for directing crew, making independent technical decisions on large productions, and managing rigging and electrical safety compliance. Employers must document that the position carries this scope of authority.
Prevailing Wage for Lighting Technicians by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Lighting Technicians and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Verify your level before live production contracts begin
Production employers often file LCAs quickly before a shoot or event, sometimes defaulting to Level 1 to minimize wage obligations. Confirm that your experience with lighting control systems and fixture types matches the filed level before signing.
Watch for per-diem and kit-rental exclusions in comp
Production companies commonly pay lighting technicians partly through per-diem allowances and equipment kit rentals. DOL prevailing wage compliance counts only base wages, so confirm your base salary alone clears the floor for your level and worksite.
Check Migrate Mate for employers with lighting sponsorship history
Studio and broadcast employers cluster heavily in Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle, the three highest-paying metros for this occupation. Migrate Mate shows which specific employers have sponsored lighting roles before, helping you target those with an established sponsorship track record.
Flag worksite city changes on touring or multi-venue gigs
For lighting technicians working touring productions or multi-venue events, the LCA must list the actual worksite city. A filing based on a low-wage metro rate does not cover periods when you work in a higher-wage market like Seattle or New York.
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Find Jobs for Lighting TechniciansPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 27-4015.00 alongside Lighting Technicians, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Controls Technician (Controls Tech) Prevailing Wage
Controls Technician (Controls Tech) Prevailing Wage
Controls Technician (Controls Tech) positions fall under SOC 27-4015.00 (Lighting Technicians). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Dimmer Board Operator Prevailing Wage
Dimmer Board Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Dimmer Board Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 27-4015.00 (Lighting Technicians). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Electrical Lighting Technician (ELT) Prevailing Wage
Electrical Lighting Technician (ELT) Prevailing Wage
Electrical Lighting Technician (ELT) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 27-4015.00 (Lighting Technicians). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Entertainment Lighting Technician Prevailing Wage
Entertainment Lighting Technician Prevailing Wage
Entertainment Lighting Technician positions fall under SOC 27-4015.00 (Lighting Technicians). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Entertainment Professional Prevailing Wage
Entertainment Professional Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Entertainment Professional for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 27-4015.00 (Lighting Technicians). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Gaffer Prevailing Wage
Gaffer Prevailing Wage
Gaffer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 27-4015.00 (Lighting Technicians). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Lamp Operator Prevailing Wage
Lamp Operator Prevailing Wage
Lamp Operator positions fall under SOC 27-4015.00 (Lighting Technicians). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Light Technician (Light Tech) Prevailing Wage
Light Technician (Light Tech) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Light Technician (Light Tech) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 27-4015.00 (Lighting Technicians). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Lighting Controls Technician Prevailing Wage
Lighting Controls Technician Prevailing Wage
Lighting Controls Technician is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 27-4015.00 (Lighting Technicians). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Lighting Designer Prevailing Wage
Lighting Designer Prevailing Wage
Lighting Designer positions fall under SOC 27-4015.00 (Lighting Technicians). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Lighting Technicians?
DOL calculates prevailing wages for Lighting Technicians using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The resulting wage is published through the OFLC Wage Search tool and is updated annually. Employers sponsoring a lighting technician on an H-1B or other visa must pay at least the DOL-published rate for the applicable level and worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to me?
DOL assigns one of four levels based on experience, supervision, and job complexity. Level 1 is entry-level work under close supervision. Level 2 reflects qualified, largely independent technicians handling standard production setups. Level 3 covers experienced technicians with specialized knowledge or supervisory duties. Level 4 is reserved for senior or lead roles with full technical authority. Your employer determines the level when filing the LCA, but it must match the actual duties in your offer letter.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role vary so much between cities?
DOL bases prevailing wages on regional OES surveys, which capture local labor market conditions. A lighting technician role in Seattle or New York reflects wage data from high-concentration production markets where union agreements and studio competition push rates up significantly. The LCA worksite rule requires employers to use the rate for the city where you will actually work, not the employer's headquarters, so a production company based in a lower-wage city cannot file at the lower rate if your worksite is in a high-wage metro.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot file a certified LCA with USCIS if the offered wage is below the DOL prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite. If OFLC detects a deficiency, the LCA will not be certified, and the visa petition cannot proceed. For active sponsored positions where a wage violation is found later, USCIS or DOL can require back pay, and the employer risks debarment from future sponsorship filings.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Lighting Technicians position in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current prevailing wage for SOC code 27-4015 in the metropolitan area where you will work. Select the experience level that matches your offered role. You can also cross-reference the Bureau of Labor Statistics OES data for the same area. Migrate Mate lists employers who have sponsored lighting roles historically, which helps you identify which companies in your target city have an active sponsorship track record before you apply.
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