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Photonics Technicians in Kentucky

Considering working as a Photonics Technicians in Kentucky? Here’s what you need to know. All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

What do Photonics Technicians Make in Kentucky?

For a photonics technicians working in Kentucky, the median annual wage is $64,360 per year (or about $30.94/hour).Earnings range from $38,190 at the 10th percentile to $93,800 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$38,190	$18.36
25th percentile	$43,080	$20.71
Median (50th)	$64,360	$30.94
75th percentile	$79,790	$38.36
90th percentile	$93,800	$45.10

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Kentucky relative to the national average — is 0.54, indicating fewer photonics technicians per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, photonics technicians earn a median of $106,964 per year ($51.43/hour), lower than the Kentucky median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 301,131 photonics technicians nationwide. In Kentucky alone, around 450 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 680 photonics technicians.

Top Kentucky Metros for Photonics Technicians

These are the Kentucky metros with the most photonics technicians in Kentucky.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	110	$73,240
Lexington-Fayette, KY	80	$63,810

Top States for Photonics Technicians Employment

The table below shows the states where the most photonics technicians work.

State	Number Employed
Texas	8,570
California	7,840
Virginia	3,810
Maryland	2,680
Florida	2,440
Washington	2,310
New York	2,200
Georgia	2,140
Pennsylvania	2,120
Louisiana	2,020
Ohio	1,460
North Carolina	1,400
Colorado	1,320
Michigan	1,290
Illinois	1,160
Oregon	1,110
Utah	1,090
Massachusetts	1,080
New Jersey	1,060
Kansas	970

Highest-Paying States for Photonics Technicians

Where photonics technicians earn the most: photonics technicians.

State	Annual Median Salary
District of Columbia	$109,120
New Mexico	$107,310
Maryland	$104,830
Maine	$101,500
Rhode Island	$98,340
Washington	$96,120
Virginia	$95,640
Hawaii	$90,380
Nevada	$88,860
California	$83,350

Skills

Key photonics technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Top abilities for photonics technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• Compute or record photonic test data.
• Maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards.
• Adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices.
• Document procedures, such as calibration of optical or fiber optic equipment.
• 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.
• Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments.
• Test or perform failure analysis for optomechanical or optoelectrical products, according to test plans.
• Assist engineers in the development of new products, fixtures, tools, or processes.
• Recommend optical or optic equipment design or material changes to reduce costs or processing times.
• Set up or operate prototype or test apparatus, such as control consoles, collimators, recording equipment, or cables.
• Monitor inventory levels and order supplies as necessary.
• Assemble fiber optical, optoelectronic, or free-space optics components, subcomponents, assemblies, or subassemblies.

Work Activities

• Getting Information
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Working with Computers
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Processing Information
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

• Environmental Control Technology
• Computer Engineering
• Architectural Engineering
• Electromechanical Engineering
• Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians
• Industrial Production Technology
• Engineering-Related Fields
• Electronics Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering
• General Engineering Technology
• Engineering-Related Technologies
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mining & Petroleum Technology

Related Careers

Related occupations to photonics technicians include:

• Electrical Engineers
• Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
• Mechanical Engineers
• Mechatronics Engineers
• Microsystems Engineers
• Photonics Engineers

Also Known As

Certified Laser Technician (Certified Laser Tech), Electro-Optics Technician (Electro-Optics Tech), Fiber Optics Assembler, Fiber Optics Cabling Specialist, Fiber Optics Design Technician (Fiber Optics Design Tech), Fiber Optics Instructor, Fiber Optics Specialist, Fiber Optics Splicer, Fiber Optics Technician (Fiber Optics Tech), Fiber Splicer, Fiber Technician (Fiber Tech), Healthcare Laser Technician (Healthcare Laser Tech), Installation Technician (Installation Tech), Laser Assembly Technician (Laser Assembly Tech), Laser Operator.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 17-3029.08