Photonics Technicians
Photonics Technicians build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.
Table of Contents
Job description
Photonics Technicians build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.
- Maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards.
- Compute or record photonic test data.
- Adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices.
- 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.
Salary
Photonics Technicians with little to no experience tend to make between $36120 and $47500 while the more experienced ones can earn over $80670 per year.
Top 5 paying states | Hourly | Annual |
---|---|---|
DC | $45 | $92,600 |
MD | $41 | $84,790 |
ME | $38 | $79,670 |
NM | $38 | $78,160 |
VA | $37 | $77,280 |
One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Photonics Technician is to move to a higher paying state like DC. Right now, the highest paying states for Photonics Technicians are DC, MD, ME, NM and VA.
However, a higher pay at DC doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at DC might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.
Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Photonics Technician is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.
Requirements
We asked other Photonics Technicians what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had an Associate’s Degree followed by a College Certificate.
Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.
Architectural Engineering Technology/Technician |
Laser and Optical Technology/Technician |
Biomedical Technology/Technician |
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician |
Energy Management and Systems Technology/Technician |
Pros and Cons
Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Photonics Technician.
PROS |
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Suitable for people who likes practical and hands-on work |
Suitable for people who values achievements and are results-oriented |
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors. |
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career. |
Normal working hours (40 hours per week) |
CONS |
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Not suitable for people who likes to help and teach others |
What is the job like
70% of Photonics Technicians said they were satisfied with their job and 60% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.
Is this right for me
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..
They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Learn more about Photonics Technicians
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Related career information
Photonics Technicians job description, Photonics Technicians salary, Photonics Technicians information, what is the job of a Photonics Technician like, pros and cons about Photonics Technicians, colleges and universities for Photonics Technicians, is Photonics Technicians the right career for me, careers in Architecture and Engineering
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