Salary data is based on the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metropolitan area and applied to Fredericksburg using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Lighting Technicians Salaries in Fredericksburg, VA

Average Base Pay

$68,188/yr

2% above national average

Monthly

$5,682

Hourly

$33

Cost Index

100

Lighting Technicians in Fredericksburg, VA earn an average of $68,188 per year, with most salaries falling between $54,550 and $81,826 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 2% above the national average, Fredericksburg ranks among the higher-paying markets for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 100. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Fredericksburg.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$51K
Low

$68K
Median

$85K
High

25th percentile: $58K75th percentile: $78K

About Lighting Technicians

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. They read and interpret blueprints and wiring diagrams, plan electrical circuits, route and connect wiring, install panels, outlets, switches, and fixtures, and ensure that all work meets the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local regulations. Commercial and industrial electricians work on larger, more complex systems—three-phase power distribution, motor controls, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and high-voltage equipment. Residential electricians handle service upgrades, circuit additions, troubleshooting wiring faults, and upgrading panels for electric vehicle chargers or solar installations. Electricians use a range of hand and power tools, test equipment such as multimeters and clamp meters, and conduit-bending equipment. Safety is paramount given the inherent hazards of working with energized systems. Apprenticeship programs, typically lasting four to five years and combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction, are the standard pathway to journeyman status. Journeyman and master electrician licenses are issued by state or local licensing boards.

What Lighting Technicians Do

Install electrical wiring, conduit, panels, and equipment per blueprints and NEC standards
Troubleshoot electrical faults using test equipment and logical diagnostic methods
Inspect and test electrical systems for safety and code compliance
Replace and upgrade electrical components and panels
Install low-voltage systems including lighting controls and fire alarm wiring
Work safely with energized and de-energized systems following lockout/tagout procedures
Coordinate with general contractors and other trades on construction projects
Maintain accurate material and labor records for job costing

Key Skills & Qualifications

National Electrical Code (NEC) knowledge and interpretation
Blueprint and wiring diagram reading
Conduit bending and wiring installation techniques
Electrical testing with multimeters, megohmmeters, and clamp meters
Motor controls and three-phase power systems
Lockout/tagout and electrical safety procedures
Journeyman or Master Electrician license
Physical dexterity and ability to work in confined spaces and at heights

Career Path

Electrician Apprentice
Journeyman Electrician
Master Electrician
Electrical Foreman / Superintendent
Electrical Contractor (business owner)

Lighting Technicians Market in Fredericksburg, VA

Salary Competitiveness

Fredericksburg salaries for Lighting Technicians track closely with the national median, diverging by less than 4%. This alignment suggests a competitive but balanced local market—employers are broadly in step with national pay scales, which can make benchmark comparisons more reliable when negotiating.

Cost of Living Impact

Fredericksburg sits close to the national cost average. Monthly essential expenses represent about 62% of take-home pay for this role—a midrange ratio that allows for modest savings and discretionary spending, provided housing costs remain stable.

Effective Purchasing Power

The purchasing power of $68,188 for a Lighting Technicians in Fredericksburg is moderate: enough to meet essential expenses and build incremental savings, but requiring deliberate budgeting to avoid margin erosion—especially as rent and healthcare costs have outpaced wage growth across many mid-tier markets.

vs. National Avg

+2%

Cost Pressure

62%

Purchasing Power

Moderate

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$49,777

Monthly

$4,148

Weekly

$957

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $68,188 for a Lighting Technicians in Fredericksburg translates to roughly $4,148 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $2,591—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $1,557 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Fredericksburg's current market.

How far does this salary go in Fredericksburg?

Cost of Living in Fredericksburg

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Fredericksburg, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

100

Below Avg — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$1,490/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$497/mo

🚗Transportation$134/mo

💡Utilities$175/mo

🏥Healthcare$295/mo

Monthly$2,591

Annual$31,092

Disposable Income$1,557

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Fredericksburg to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$4,148

Living Costs

$2,591

Disposable

$1,557

Cost Index

100

Lifestyle

Moderate

With a monthly take-home of $4,148, your estimated living costs in Fredericksburg are $2,591 ($31,092/yr). This leaves $1,557 per month in disposable income, indicating a moderate standard of living. Fredericksburg's cost of living is at the national average.

Overall, a Lighting Technicians earning $68,188 in Fredericksburg falls into a moderate lifestyle tier and can cover essentials and hit modest savings goals, though discretionary spending warrants careful planning. With a cost index of 100, Fredericksburg's cost of living sits right at the national average. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Fredericksburg continue to evolve.