What You Need to Know About 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.
Life As a Photonics Technician: What Do They Do?
- Perform diagnostic analyses of processing steps, using analytical or metrological tools, such as microscopy, profilometry, or ellipsometry devices.
- Optimize photonic process parameters by making prototype or production devices.
- Fabricate sensors to be used to control wind turbines.
- Terminate, cure, polish, or test fiber cables with mechanical connectors.
- Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments.
- Assemble fiber optical, optoelectronic, or free-space optics components, subcomponents, assemblies, or subassemblies.
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Skills Needed to be a Photonics Technician
When polled, Photonics Technicians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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
- Service Technician
- Coating Manager
- Lead Technician
- Photonics Engineering Technologist
- Fiber Optics Supervisor
Are There Job Opportunities for Photonics Technicians?
There were about 76,800 jobs for Photonics Technician in 2016 (in the United States). 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.
Photonics Technician Salary
The typical yearly salary for Photonics Technicians is somewhere between $36,120 and $98,720.
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 |
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 to Become a Photonics Technician
What education or degrees do I need to become a Photonics Technician?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Photonics Technicians Sector
Below are examples of industries where Photonics Technicians work:
References:
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