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US job code 17-3029.08High change by 2035

Photonics Technicians

Machines can already do 25% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 63%. The job changes before it disappears.

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Share of the work machines can do

Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050

100%75%50%25%20262035205025%Half: 2033

Photonics Technicians in 2026: the short answer

  • Today: machines can do 25% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
  • Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 63% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
  • Size: 59,930 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $78,350 a year.
  • Contact with people: it scores 63% for contact with people.
  • Also called: Fiber Optics Instructor, Fiber Optics Technician (Fiber Optics Tech), Laser Technician (Laser Tech), Optics Technician (Optics Tech).
  • Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.

Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.

Machines can do today
25%of the tasks, 2026
By 2035
63%half the tasks by 2033
US median pay
$78,350a year, May 2025
US jobs
60k59,930 people
Contact with people
63%how people-facing
Step 1AnticipateWhat is changing? Free to everyone

How the work changes, task by task

The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.

TaskShare of the dayMachines can do2026 to 2035
Assemble fiber optical, optoelectronic, or free-space optics components, subcomponents, assemblies, or subassemblies9%
20% to 60%
Adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices8%
20% to 60%
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 analyzers8%
20% to 60%
Test or perform failure analysis for optomechanical or optoelectrical products, according to test plans8%
20% to 60%
Compute or record photonic test data7%
65% to 92%
Maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards5%
20% to 60%
Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments5%
20% to 60%
Assist engineers in the development of new products, fixtures, tools, or processes5%
20% to 60%
Step 2AssessWhy should I care? Free to everyone

The skills this job runs on

The skills photonics technicians use most, most used first.

Professionalism and work ethicIT and softwarePhysical and manualAnalysis and dataEngineering designTrade craftsLearning aptitude and mindsetProduction and makingAdaptability and resilienceCommunicationCritical thinking and problem solvingInterpersonal skillsMoral intelligence and integritySelf-management

Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace

How much photonics technicians rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.

  • Go-to problem solver6/10
  • Trust and reliability6/10
  • Know-how about the organisation5/10
  • Network and relationships4/10
  • Mentoring and developing others2/10
  • Culture and morale4/10
  • Initiative beyond the role4/10
  • Calm in a crisis5/10
  • Bridge between teams3/10
  • Reputation and influence3/10

Safer jobs nearby

Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.

Step 3ActWhat do I do about it? Free plan and up
What do I do about it

What should you do about it?

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  • Shared workspace

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Questions

When will machines do half of the tasks of Photonics Technicians?

Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.

Will AI take the job of photonics technicians?

Machines can do 25% of the tasks of photonics technicians today and 63% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.

Sources and citing

Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 17-3029.08 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.

Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Photonics Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/photonics-technicians/