Also called: Show Systems Programmer
Programs the computers that sync lights, sound, video, animatronics and fireworks in theme park shows.
You write cues so the music hits as fountains fire and a dragon roars, then sit in a dark park overnight tweaking timing. Opening night of a new show is your proudest moment.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in electrical engineering or entertainment technology.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Electrical Engineering, Entertainment Technology.
Growing faster than average (about 7% over 10 years). Electronics engineers overall.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps write cue code; syncing live lights, sound and effects and fixing them during shows stays human.
Classes: Computer science, Electronics CTE, Theater tech crew, Music.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2072.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.