Occupations/17-3029.08
Photonics Technicians
Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.
Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.
AI automation risk
67%
Higher automation risk
Human characteristics
36%
Fewer uniquely human demands
Task orientation
62%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards.
- Mostly routine
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.
- Mostly routine
Compute or record photonic test data.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Compute or record photonic test data.
- 02Maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards.
- 03Adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices.
- 04Document procedures, such as calibration of optical or fiber optic equipment.
- 05Set 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.
- 06Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.41
- Degree of automation2.59
- Time sitting2.77
- Originality (ability)2.62
- Conflict situations2.45
- Hands-on objects/tools4.00
- Outdoors / weather2.14
- Disease exposure1.14
- Decision freedom3.76
Top abilities
- Near Vision3.75
- Problem Sensitivity3.62
- Oral Comprehension3.62
- Written Comprehension3.50
- Information Ordering3.38
- Finger Dexterity3.38
- Written Expression3.25
- Perceptual Speed3.25
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.50
- Active Listening3.38
- Writing3.12
- Speaking3.12
- Mathematics2.75
- Science2.50
- Critical Thinking3.38
- Active Learning3.25
- Learning Strategies2.75
- Monitoring3.25
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 54 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Kansas Lawrence, KS · Public | Packaging Science 15.1503 | $11,400 | 88% | 67% | 1 yr $107,535 2 yr $106,421 Master's · CIP 15.15 |
Howard University Washington, DC · Private nonprofit | Packaging Science 15.1503 | $33,200 | 53% | 65% | 1 yr $99,481 2 yr $96,405 Master's · CIP 15.15 |
Stanford University Stanford, CA · Private nonprofit | Packaging Science 15.1503 | $62,400 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr $86,867 2 yr $92,632 Bachelor's · CIP 15.15 |
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public | Packaging Science 15.1503 | $17,500 | 45% | 85% | 1 yr $80,273 2 yr $71,015 Master's · CIP 15.15 |
California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA · Public | Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians 15.0001 | $7,100 | 40% | 74% | 1 yr $72,860 2 yr $63,005 Bachelor's · CIP 15.00 |
Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · Public | Laser and Optical Technology/Technician 15.0304 | $5,200 | 100% | 21% | 1 yr $69,338 2 yr $69,221 Bachelor's · CIP 15.03 |
Marquette University Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit | Laser and Optical Technology/Technician 15.0304 | $48,800 | 87% | 85% | 1 yr $66,915 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 15.03 |
Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Public | Packaging Science 15.1503 | $16,100 | 88% | 82% | 1 yr $66,768 2 yr $67,429 Bachelor's · CIP 15.15 |
Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN · Public | Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians 15.0001 | $9,900 | 77% | 58% | 1 yr $65,797 2 yr $63,005 Bachelor's · CIP 15.00 |
San Jose State University San Jose, CA · Public | Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician 15.0607 | $8,200 | 77% | 71% | 1 yr $64,196 2 yr $62,489 Bachelor's · CIP 15.06 |
Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public | Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians 15.0001 | $13,200 | 63% | 83% | 1 yr $62,409 2 yr $63,463 Bachelor's · CIP 15.00 |
Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ · Public | Laser and Optical Technology/Technician 15.0304 | $12,000 | 90% | 69% | 1 yr — 2 yr $62,260 Bachelor's · CIP 15.03 |