Photonics Technicians Salary by State
The national median pay for photonics technicians is $78,350 a year. By state, it ranges from $52,770 in Vermont to $107,060 in Maine. These figures are for the broader BLS group “Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other”.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $47,030
- 25th percentile
- $60,390
- Median
- $78,350
- 75th percentile
- $99,310
- Top 10%
- $118,330
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job (broader BLS group “Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other”). About 59,930 jobs.
Median pay in 49 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $107,060 | +37% | $67,790 | $130,480 | 810 |
| 2 | New Mexico | $101,750 | +30% | $65,170 | $123,260 | 1,390 |
| 3 | Maryland | $99,970 | +28% | $58,860 | $135,800 | 2,630 |
| 4 | Washington | $99,720 | +27% | $60,450 | $129,480 | 2,310 |
| 5 | Virginia | $98,410 | +26% | $64,000 | $131,810 | 3,720 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $94,570 | +21% | $65,470 | $130,480 | 380 |
| 7 | Nevada | $93,670 | +20% | $66,440 | $134,000 | 590 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $90,040 | +15% | $45,200 | $120,270 | 410 |
| 9 | Alaska | $89,810 | +15% | $48,290 | $126,880 | 380 |
| 10 | Indiana | $88,880 | +13% | $65,330 | $124,730 | 480 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $87,450 | +12% | $46,590 | $136,090 | 880 |
| 12 | Oklahoma | $81,330 | +4% | $49,860 | $108,390 | 870 |
| 13 | West Virginia | $81,330 | +4% | $47,090 | $98,610 | 450 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $81,290 | +4% | $54,340 | $100,490 | 670 |
| 15 | North Dakota | $80,990 | +3% | $51,830 | $109,010 | 100 |
| 16 | South Carolina | $80,540 | +3% | $49,050 | $103,760 | 620 |
| 17 | California | $80,480 | +3% | $52,060 | $128,880 | 7,330 |
| 18 | Illinois | $79,800 | +2% | $57,160 | $101,920 | 940 |
| 19 | Wyoming | $79,440 | +1% | $50,710 | $106,330 | 130 |
| 20 | Utah | $79,370 | +1% | $54,240 | $106,330 | 920 |
| 21 | Mississippi | $79,350 | +1% | $51,520 | $108,490 | 350 |
| 22 | Ohio | $77,590 | −1% | $48,610 | $104,870 | 1,340 |
| 23 | Oregon | $76,960 | −2% | $46,890 | $102,900 | 1,010 |
| 24 | New Hampshire | $76,720 | −2% | $53,160 | $99,750 | 340 |
| 25 | Colorado | $76,110 | −3% | $50,530 | $107,280 | 1,260 |
| 26 | Delaware | $75,780 | −3% | $48,160 | $87,650 | Not published |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $74,940 | −4% | $47,460 | $104,750 | 480 |
| 28 | Connecticut | $74,870 | −4% | $59,020 | $108,060 | 1,300 |
| 29 | Alabama | $74,650 | −5% | $43,710 | $119,970 | 690 |
| 30 | Michigan | $73,960 | −6% | $45,390 | $107,520 | 1,130 |
| 31 | Texas | $73,860 | −6% | $38,720 | $113,050 | 7,110 |
| 32 | Missouri | $72,320 | −8% | $48,630 | $106,540 | 590 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $72,070 | −8% | $47,970 | $98,900 | 1,530 |
| 34 | Florida | $70,500 | −10% | $46,950 | $106,930 | 2,820 |
| 35 | Pennsylvania | $68,930 | −12% | $40,630 | $107,410 | 1,610 |
| 36 | Georgia | $68,370 | −13% | $44,190 | $102,400 | 1,890 |
| 37 | Arkansas | $68,060 | −13% | $41,720 | $91,170 | 230 |
| 38 | Massachusetts | $67,450 | −14% | $47,280 | $96,930 | 990 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $67,200 | −14% | $46,900 | $97,070 | 260 |
| 40 | Idaho | $65,790 | −16% | $47,420 | $86,260 | 260 |
| 41 | Montana | $65,730 | −16% | $44,890 | $91,170 | 210 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $65,660 | −16% | $35,940 | $92,770 | 380 |
| 43 | New York | $65,530 | −16% | $50,080 | $97,470 | 2,000 |
| 44 | Iowa | $63,120 | −19% | $42,460 | $89,620 | 380 |
| 45 | Kansas | $61,710 | −21% | $50,720 | $85,240 | 920 |
| 46 | Arizona | $59,580 | −24% | $44,640 | $96,100 | 990 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $58,960 | −25% | $38,160 | $103,810 | 2,110 |
| 48 | Tennessee | $58,700 | −25% | $42,320 | $102,810 | 990 |
| 49 | Vermont | $52,770 | −33% | $51,350 | $82,110 | 130 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates for the broader group “Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other”. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Photonics Technicians salary questions
Which state pays photonics technicians the most?
Maine, with a median of $107,060 a year (+37% vs. the national median of $78,350). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays photonics technicians the least?
Vermont, with a median of $52,770 a year (−33% vs. national).
Where do most photonics technicians work?
California has the most jobs, about 7,330, with a median of $80,480.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.