Lighting Technicians

Lighting Technicians score 16 out of 100, which is low exposure to AI. That ranks #681 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 16 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 1 on its own and 3 more with extra software built on top of it. None of its tasks showed up in real AI use in April–May 2026.

16/ 100

Low

Rank: #681of 923 jobs
US workers: 8,900BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $68,060a year
In real AI use: 0 of 16tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (6%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 3 (19%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 12 (75%)

Program lighting consoles or load automated lighting control systems onto consoles.AI can speed this up on its own
Match light fixture settings, such as brightness and color, to lighting design plans.AI can speed this up with extra software
Operate manual or automated systems to control lighting throughout productions.AI can speed this up with extra software
Visit and assess structural and electrical layout of locations before setting up lighting equipment.AI can speed this up with extra software
Assess safety of wiring or equipment set-up to determine the risk of fire or electrical shock.Little or no AI speed-up
Consult with lighting director or production staff to determine lighting requirements.Little or no AI speed-up
Disassemble and store equipment after performances.Little or no AI speed-up
Install color effects or image patterns, such as color filters, onto lighting fixtures.Little or no AI speed-up
Install electrical cables or wire fixtures.Little or no AI speed-up
Load, unload, or position lighting equipment.Little or no AI speed-up
Notify supervisors when major lighting equipment repairs are needed.Little or no AI speed-up
Patch or wire lights to dimmers or other electronic consoles.Little or no AI speed-up
Perform minor repairs or routine maintenance on lighting equipment, such as replacing lamps or damaged color filters.Little or no AI speed-up
Set up and focus light fixtures to meet requirements of television, theater, concerts, or other productions.Little or no AI speed-up
Set up scaffolding or cranes to assist with setting up of lighting equipment.Little or no AI speed-up
Test lighting equipment function and desired lighting effects.Little or no AI speed-up

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Questions about lighting technicians and AI

Will AI replace lighting technicians?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Lighting Technicians score 16 out of 100 (low exposure), #681 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 4 of the job's 16 tasks, 1 of them on its own, while 12 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which lighting technicians tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Program lighting consoles or load automated lighting control systems onto consoles".

Which lighting technicians tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Assess safety of wiring or equipment set-up to determine the risk of fire or electrical shock"; "Consult with lighting director or production staff to determine lighting requirements"; "Disassemble and store equipment after performances".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Not much yet. None of the job's tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude in April–May 2026, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as lighting technicians, and what do they earn?

About 8,900 people in the US, with median pay of $68,060 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.