O*NET-SOC 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.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 3 – Medium preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresPrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required
Broad occupation in O*NETFalse (No)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Reading Comprehension2.A.1.a3.508/2024
Active Listening2.A.1.b3.3808/2024
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a3.3808/2024
Operations Monitoring2.B.3.g3.3808/2024
Quality Control Analysis2.B.3.m3.3808/2024
Active Learning2.A.2.b3.2508/2024

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Near Vision1.A.4.a.13.7508/2024
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.13.6208/2024
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.33.6208/2024
Written Comprehension1.A.1.a.23.508/2024
Finger Dexterity1.A.2.a.33.3808/2024
Information Ordering1.A.1.b.63.3808/2024

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Compute or record photonic test data.Core2208/2024
Maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards.Core2208/2024
Adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices.Core2208/2024
Document procedures, such as calibration of optical or fiber optic equipment.Core2208/2024
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.Core2208/2024

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Realistic7.011/2023
Conventional5.1211/2023
Investigative4.2611/2023
Artistic1.0611/2023
Enterprising1.011/2023
Social1.011/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 3

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.