Also called: Dimmer Board Operator, Lighting Board Op
Programs and controls lighting from a digital console on film and TV sets.
A board operator programs lighting cues on a digital console, like a flickering TV glow or a sunset fading, and runs them perfectly on the director's call. They work closely with the gaffer.
Approximate; union rates.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. Lighting tech experience; union.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Theater Technology.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). Similar to lighting technicians.
Medium risk for 10 years. Consoles automate more cues and effects; programming looks live with the DP and gaffer on set stays human.
Classes: Theater tech crew, Computer science, Electronics, Music.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-4015.
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.