Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

Also called: Fiber Optics Instructor, Fiber Optics Technician (Fiber Optics Tech), Laser Technician (Laser Tech), Optics Technician (Optics Tech), Optomechanical Technician (Optomechanical Tech), Photonics Laboratory Technician (Photonics Lab Tech), Photonics Technician (Photonics Tech), Ruling Technician (Ruling Tech), 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 Specialist, Fiber Optics Splicer, Fiber Splicer, Fiber Technician (Fiber Tech), Healthcare Laser Technician (Healthcare Laser Tech), Installation Technician (Installation Tech), Laser Assembly Technician (Laser Assembly Tech), Laser Operator, Laser Scanners Technician (Laser Scanners Tech), Laser Specialist, Medical Laser Technician (Medical Laser Tech), Mobile Laser Technician (Mobile Laser Tech), Mobile Technician (Mobile Tech), Optical Engineering Technician (Optical Engineering Tech), Optical Fabrication Technician (Optical Fabrication Tech), Optical Manufacturing Technician (Optical Manufacturing Tech), Optics Manufacturing Technician (Optics Manufacturing Tech), Optics Test Technician (Optics Test Tech), Optoelectronic Technician (Optoelectronic Tech), Photonics Engineer, Photonics Engineering Technician (Photonics Engineering Tech), Photonics Engineering Technologist, Removal Technician (Removal Tech), Splicing Technician (Splicing Tech), Strain Technician (Strain Tech), Surgical Laser Technician (Surgical Laser Tech), Test Technician (Test Tech), Thin Film Technician (Thin Film Tech)

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Operations Monitoring
Quality Control Analysis
Active Learning
Monitoring
Equipment Maintenance
Writing
Speaking
Complex Problem Solving
Troubleshooting

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree (40.91% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

60,390–99,310 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 17-3029.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Build design, analysis, validation, and project experience; explore senior technical specialist, project lead, or engineering-management paths with the required qualifications.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree (40.91% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Photonics Technicians