Gaffer & Lighting Crew for Hire

A gaffer is the chief lighting technician on a production — the head of the electrical department. The gaffer is responsible for designing and executing the lighting plan to achieve the visual look the Director of Photography (DP) has specified. This includes selecting and positioning lighting fixtures (LED panels, HMIs, tungsten instruments), rigging power distribution, managing the best boy electric and lighting crew, and ensuring every fixture is safe, powered, and positioned correctly. On set, the gaffer translates the DP's lighting vision into a practical, executable plan and troubleshoots in real time to maintain consistency across every shot.

The gaffer (chief lighting technician) and the key grip both work closely with the DP, but they lead separate departments. The gaffer runs the electrical department: they choose, place, and power the lights. The grip department — led by the key grip — handles physical rigging and camera support: they build the stands and frames that hold lights, operate dollies and cranes, and use flags and diffusion to modify how light falls on a subject. In practice, gaffers and grips work side by side: the gaffer decides where a light needs to go and how it should be shaped; the key grip provides the physical rigging to make it happen. Both departments are essential on any professional production.

Gaffer day rates through Assignment Desk typically range from $400–$700/day for a standard 10-hour production day, depending on the market, production type, and whether lighting equipment is included. Gaffers who supply their own lighting package may have higher day rates that reflect equipment costs. Major markets like New York and Los Angeles typically run 15–25% higher than regional markets. Assignment Desk provides transparent itemized quotes — submit your brief for crew names, credentials, and exact gaffer day rates within 60 minutes.

Some gaffers work with client-supplied or rental-house lighting packages, while others own and supply their own fixtures. When booking through Assignment Desk, the shoot brief includes any lighting package requirements — LED panels, HMIs, tungsten fixtures, grip and expendables. If you need the gaffer to supply a full lighting package, specify this in your brief and it will be confirmed during the booking process. Assignment Desk coordinates all logistics so you have a single vendor for crew and equipment.

Assignment Desk staffs gaffers and lighting crew in 24+ US markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, Houston, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Boston, Denver, Seattle, Nashville, Charlotte, Phoenix, Indianapolis, Detroit, Minneapolis, Tampa, and more. Click any city in the coverage grid below for local crew profiles.

Submit your shoot brief at assignmentdesk.com/hire-a-crew — include the shoot date, city, positions needed (gaffer, best boy, lighting technicians), any lighting package requirements, and production type. A coordinator reviews your brief, matches qualified lighting crew from the local market, and confirms crew names and credentials. Most bookings are confirmed within 60 minutes. Same-day gaffer and lighting crew are available in major US markets for urgent shoots.