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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Photonics Technicians

Median Salary
73,500
Job Outlook
N/A

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$35,090

10%

$73,500

Median

$103,600

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Associate's degree

    40%

  • High school

    27%

  • Bachelor's degree

    13%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    9%

  • Some college

    4%

  • Master's degree

    4%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Composite Materials Technology/Technician
  • Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician
  • Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians
  • Welding Engineering Technology/Technician
  • Solar Energy Technology/Technician
  • Mining Technology/Technician
  • Hydraulics and Fluid Power Technology/Technician
  • Energy Systems Technology/Technician
  • Power Plant Technology/Technician
  • Computer Engineering Technology/Technician
  • Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician
  • Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician
  • Metallurgical Technology/Technician
  • Biomedical Technology/Technician
  • Marine Engineering Technology/Technician
  • Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician
  • Computer Software Technology/Technician
  • Engineering Acoustics
  • Laser and Optical Technology/Technician
  • Audio Engineering Technology/Technician
  • Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other
  • Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians, Other
  • Wind Energy Technology/Technician
  • Chemical Engineering Technology/Technician
  • Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians
  • Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians, Other
  • Computer Hardware Technology/Technician

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Math and Science Skills

    High

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Mid

  • Leadership

    Low

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Computers and Electronics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Design

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    High

  • Repetitiveness

    High

  • Time Pressure

    Mid

  • Responsibility

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Level Of Competition

    Mid

  • Decision Making

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.