light board operator
Light board operators control the lighting of a performance based on the artistic or creative concept, in interaction with the performers. Their work is influenced by and influences the results of other operators. Therefore, the operators work closely together with the designers, operators and performers. Light board operators prepare and supervise the setup, steer the technical crew, program the equipment and operate the lighting system. They may be responsible for conventional or automated lighting fixtures and, in some instances, controlling video as well. Their work is based on plans, instructions and other documentation.
light board operator light board operators control the lighting of a performance based on the artistic or creative concept, in interaction with the performers. Their work is influenced by and influences the results of other operators. The role shows moderate AI exposure (0.50 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include draw up artistic production, operate a lighting console, work ergonomically, understand artistic concepts, plot lighting states.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £45,534 a year for Arts officers, producers and directors (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 3416). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Technicians and associate professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only light board operator, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 3. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
What you'd actually do
- 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.
- Install color effects or image patterns, such as color filters, onto lighting fixtures.
- Install electrical cables or wire fixtures.
- Load, unload, or position lighting equipment.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does light board operator do?
Light board operators control the lighting of a performance based on the artistic or creative concept, in interaction with the performers. Their work is influenced by and influences the results of other operators. Therefore, the operators work closely together with the designers, operators and performers. Light board operators prepare and supervise the setup, steer the technical crew, program the equipment and operate the lighting system.
What skills does light board operator need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include draw up artistic production, operate a lighting console, work ergonomically, understand artistic concepts, plot lighting states, safeguard artistic quality of performance. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace light board operator?
Our AI-durability model gives light board operator a score of 0.50 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.