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What Does it Take to Be a Photonics Technician?
Occupation Description Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.
What Do Photonics Technicians Do On a Daily Basis?
- Design, build, or modify fixtures used to assemble parts.
- Splice fibers, using fusion splicing or other techniques.
- Perform diagnostic analyses of processing steps, using analytical or metrological tools, such as microscopy, profilometry, or ellipsometry devices.
- Repair or calibrate products, such as surgical lasers.
- Develop solar power sources for lasers used in fiber optics.
- Assemble fiber optical, optoelectronic, or free-space optics components, subcomponents, assemblies, or subassemblies.
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Qualities of a Photonics Technician
Below is a list of the skills most Photonics Technicians say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Types of Photonics Technician
- Photonic Laboratory Technician (Photonic Lab Tech)
- Test Technician
- Fiber Optics Supervisor
- Optoelectronic Technician
- Engineering Technologist
Photonics Technician Employment Estimates
There were about 76,800 jobs for Photonics Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,000 new jobs for Photonics Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 7,100 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Photonics Technician are Utah, Nevada, and Connecticut. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, West Virginia, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Photonics Technician
Photonics Technicians make between $36,120 and $98,720 a year.
Photonics Technicians who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Maine, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Photonics Technicians in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,380 |
| Alaska | $71,850 |
| Arizona | $59,210 |
| Arkansas | $60,310 |
| California | $71,420 |
| Colorado | $63,590 |
| Connecticut | $64,510 |
| Delaware | $51,380 |
| District of Columbia | $92,600 |
| Florida | $58,860 |
| Georgia | $59,830 |
| Hawaii | $76,070 |
| Idaho | $55,540 |
| Illinois | $63,760 |
| Indiana | $58,450 |
| Iowa | $57,620 |
| Kansas | $65,870 |
| Kentucky | $58,880 |
| Louisiana | $59,930 |
| Maine | $79,670 |
| Maryland | $84,790 |
| Massachusetts | $64,220 |
| Michigan | $64,270 |
| Minnesota | $57,440 |
| Mississippi | $60,500 |
| Missouri | $59,830 |
| Montana | $59,810 |
| Nebraska | $57,630 |
| Nevada | $71,330 |
| New Hampshire | $57,730 |
| New Jersey | $75,380 |
| New Mexico | $78,160 |
| New York | $63,780 |
| North Carolina | $63,600 |
| North Dakota | $75,030 |
| Ohio | $61,060 |
| Oklahoma | $63,790 |
| Oregon | $56,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,210 |
| Rhode Island | $73,240 |
| South Carolina | $70,820 |
| South Dakota | $51,110 |
| Tennessee | $57,800 |
| Texas | $66,630 |
| Utah | $56,480 |
| Vermont | $58,960 |
| Virginia | $77,280 |
| Washington | $74,810 |
| West Virginia | $70,550 |
| Wisconsin | $58,780 |
| Wyoming | $67,110 |
What Tools & Technology do Photonics Technicians Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Photonics Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Database software
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Presentation software
- Data acquisition software
- Statistical analysis software
- Image processing software
Becoming a Photonics Technician
What education or degrees do I need to become a Photonics Technician?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Photonics Technician?
Who Employs Photonics Technicians?
The table below shows the approximate number of Photonics Technicians employed by various industries.
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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