According to the USA829 LORT rate schedule, minimum design fee per show varies from $2458-$5776 depending on the size of the company. It is unlikely that many, if any, are doing more than ten shows per year. See also the article from Live Design: You Can't Afford To Be A Lighting Designer.
Which is why I always have to chuckle whenever I meet one of my fresh-faced peers who so eagerly can't wait to tell the world how much they "just want to be a real Lighting Designer". However if I had a nickle for everyone one of those kids that can barely focus a light let alone create a light plot, I could afford to Design. They just don't know what they think they're getting themselves into. My TD, in the Freshman Stagecraft class, one of the first things he tells every class is "don't do theatre". I think he has a point. It's not just a job, it's a lifestyle choice. (Even had to explain to my parents that man does not live on Design alone, and that the Entertainent Industry needs alot more than just Jules Fishers)
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