Find Trade Colleges
Photonics Technicians in South Carolina
Want to work as a Photonics Technicians in South Carolina? Here’s what the data says. All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.
What do Photonics Technicians Make in South Carolina?
The photonics technicians working in South Carolina, the median annual wage is $73,890 per year (or roughly $35.52/hour).Earnings range from $46,220 at the 10th percentile to $105,120 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| 25th percentile | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| Median (50th) | $73,890 | $35.52 |
| 75th percentile | $87,050 | $41.85 |
| 90th percentile | $105,120 | $50.54 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in South Carolina compared to the national average — is 0.73, 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), below the South Carolina median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 301,131 photonics technicians in the U.S.. In South Carolina alone, approximately 690 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 680 photonics technicians.
Top South Carolina Metros for Photonics Technicians
The metro areas below employ the most photonics technicians in South Carolina.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 170 | $80,700 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 90 | $77,930 |
| Columbia, SC | 70 | $73,700 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | 40 | $77,020 |
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
The most important 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?
Related college programs include:
- 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
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.