Also called: Laser Technician, Electro-Optics Technician
Builds, aligns, tests, and repairs laser and optical systems alongside engineers and scientists.
You might align the mirrors in a research laser, assemble fiber-optic sensors, or repair a laser cutter on a factory floor. You read schematics, use power meters and oscilloscopes, and wear special goggles all day. It's a two-year path into the high-tech world of optics.
Based on engineering technologists and technicians, all other.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate degree in laser/photonics technology (offered at community colleges such as Indian River State, Springfield Tech, and others); some learn in the military.
Ways in: 2-year college, Military, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Laser & Photonics Technology (2-year), Electronics Technology, Physics.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). Growth figure for the broader engineering-technician group.
Low risk for 10 years. Aligning mirrors, assembling fiber sensors and repairing lasers are hands-on skills in short supply.
Classes: Physics, Electronics CTE, Algebra II.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-3029.
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.