What You Need to Know About Photonics Technician
Job Description & Duties Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.
Life As a Photonics Technician: What Do They Do?
- Recommend optical or optic equipment design or material changes to reduce costs or processing times.
- Perform diagnostic analyses of processing steps, using analytical or metrological tools, such as microscopy, profilometry, or ellipsometry devices.
- Mix, pour, or use processing chemicals or gases according to safety standards or established operating procedures.
- Build prototype optomechanical devices for use in equipment such as aerial cameras, gun sights, or telescopes.
- Repair or calibrate products, such as surgical lasers.
- Assemble fiber optical, optoelectronic, or free-space optics components, subcomponents, assemblies, or subassemblies.
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What Every Photonics Technician Should Know
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.
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.
Other Photonics Technician Job Titles
- Lead Technician
- Thin-film Technician
- Optics Test Technician
- Optical Engineering Technician
- Laser/Electro-Optics Technician (LEOT)
Job Opportunities 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. There will be an estimated 7,100 positions for Photonics Technician per 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
The average yearly salary of a Photonics Technician ranges between $36,120 and $98,720.
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Photonics Technicians
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 do I Become a Photonics Technician?
Learn what Photonics Technician education requirements there are.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Photonics Technician?
Where do Photonics Technicians Work?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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