Also called: Lighting Console Operator, LD (Touring)
Programs and runs the lighting console during concerts.
A lighting programmer types hundreds of cues into a console, then 'busks' lights live to the beat, adjusting for every crowd.
Approximate. Touring crew are usually paid weekly or daily rates while on tour; big arena and stadium tours pay far more than club tours, and work has off-seasons.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 1 year after high school. Console training (grandMA) plus experience.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Self-taught, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Lighting Design, Theater Technology.
Growing faster than average. Live music touring has hit record revenues since 2022.
Medium risk for 10 years. Consoles auto-generate more cues and effects; programming and running a show live with the designer stays human.
Classes: Computer science, Music, Theater tech crew, Electronics.
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.