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Photonics Technician

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What Does it Take to Be a Photonics Technician?

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

A Day in the Life of a Photonics Technician

  • Fabricate devices, such as optoelectronic or semiconductor devices.
  • Compute or record photonic test data.
  • Recommend optical or optic equipment design or material changes to reduce costs or processing times.
  • Set up or operate assembly or processing equipment, such as lasers, cameras, die bonders, wire bonders, dispensers, reflow ovens, soldering irons, die shears, wire pull testers, temperature or humidity chambers, or optical spectrum analyzers.
  • Terminate, cure, polish, or test fiber cables with mechanical connectors.
  • Monitor mechanical factors, such as turbine load or strain information.

Things a Photonics Technician Should Know How to Do

These are the skills Photonics Technicians say are the most useful in their careers:

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.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

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.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Types of Photonics Technician

  • Optoelectronic Technician
  • Service Technician
  • Fiber Optic Technician
  • Lead Technician
  • Strain Technician

Job Demand for Photonics Technicians

In the United States, there were 76,800 jobs for Photonics Technician in 2016. 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.

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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.

Average Photonics Technicians Salary

The salary for Photonics Technicians ranges between about $36,120 and $98,720 a year.

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Photonics Technicians who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Maine, make the highest salaries.

How much do Photonics Technicians make in each U.S. state?

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 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

How to Become a Photonics Technician

What kind of Photonics Technician requirements are there?

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What work experience do I need to become a Photonics Technician?

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Who Employs Photonics Technicians?

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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References:

Image Credit: via Creative Commons CC0

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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