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Photonics Technicians in Iowa

Photonics Technicians in Iowa

Want to work as a Photonics Technicians in Iowa? Here’s what the data says. All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

What do Photonics Technicians Make in Iowa?

The photonics technicians working in Iowa, wages run about $63,960 per year (or roughly $30.75/hour).Earnings range from $42,290 at the 10th percentile to $95,180 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $42,290 $20.33
25th percentile $54,080 $26.00
Median (50th) $63,960 $30.75
75th percentile $77,940 $37.47
90th percentile $95,180 $45.76
Salary ranges for Photonics Technicians in Iowa

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Iowa relative to the national average — is 0.72, 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 Iowa median.

Photonics Technicians earnings in Iowa vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 301,131 photonics technicians across the United States. In Iowa alone, approximately 470 people work in this role. That trails the typical state, which employs around 680 photonics technicians.

Photonics Technicians in Iowa vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Photonics Technicians

Top Iowa Metros for Photonics Technicians

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

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL 150 $81,060
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA 80 $70,130
Iowa City, IA 40 $69,870

Top States for Photonics Technicians Employment

These states have the highest employment of 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:

Reading Comprehension  3.5 / 5
0
5
Operations Monitoring  3.4 / 5
0
5
Quality Control Analysis  3.4 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  3.4 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  3.4 / 5
0
5
Active Learning  3.2 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

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

Engineering and Technology  3.9 / 5
0
5
Computers and Electronics  3.8 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  3.5 / 5
0
5
Mechanical  3.4 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.2 / 5
0
5
Production and Processing  3.2 / 5
0
5

Abilities

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

Near Vision  3.8 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  3.6 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  3.6 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  3.5 / 5
0
5
Finger Dexterity  3.4 / 5
0
5
Information Ordering  3.4 / 5
0
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
  • Controlling Machines and Processes
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Working with Computers
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • 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

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Programs that train for this career include:

Related occupations to photonics technicians include:

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

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