Also called: Laser Ablation Technician, Laser Surface Prep Technician
Uses handheld lasers to blast away rust, paint and grime from metal, molds and even historic statues without chemicals.
You sweep a laser "wand" over a rusty steel part and watch the rust vanish in a puff while the metal stays shiny. Next you clean baked-on rubber off a tire mold without taking it out of the press. Safety glasses and a fenced-off area are a must.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 0.5 years after high school. High school plus employer training and laser safety certification.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Laser / Photonics Technology, Manufacturing Technology.
Growing faster than average. Replacing sandblasting and harsh chemicals in many factories.
Medium risk for 10 years. Robot arms run lasers on repeat parts, but field cleaning of odd shapes and restoration stays hands-on.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply at laser cleaning and surface prep companies or through a staffing agency; new hires are trained on the job
Classes: Physics, Shop class, Auto shop, Art (for restoration).
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.