Jobs Similar to Photonics Technicians
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to photonics technicians, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians, Robotics Technicians and Electrical and Electronics Repairers (Commercial and Industrial Equipment).
Photonics Technicians: $78,350 (broader BLS group) · usual preparation: Training or associate.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Photonics Technicians) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and TechniciansSame group | 83% | $73,900 | Training or associate |
| 2 | Robotics TechniciansSame group | 82% | $73,900Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 3 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment | 82% | $74,090 | Training or associate |
| 4 | Automotive Engineering TechniciansSame group | 82% | $74,510Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 5 | Avionics Technicians | 80% | $82,280 | Training or associate |
| 6 | Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and TechniciansSame group | 80% | $78,190 | Training or associate |
| 7 | Machinists | 79% | $58,750 | Training or associate |
| 8 | Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | 79% | $65,380 | High school |
| 9 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | 79% | $74,340 | Training or associate |
| 10 | Industrial Machinery Mechanics | 79% | $64,520 | Training or associate |
| 11 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and TechniciansSame group | 78% | $82,890 | Training or associate |
| 12 | Geothermal Technicians | 78% | $49,230Broader BLS group · not compared | High school |
| 13 | Hydroelectric Plant Technicians | 78% | $102,040Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 14 | Medical Equipment Repairers | 77% | $61,660 | Training or associate |
| 15 | Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers | 77% | $56,210 | Training or associate |
| 16 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | 77% | $109,910 | Training or associate |
| 17 | Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment | 77% | $84,890 | Training or associate |
| 18 | Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers | 77% | $63,520 | Training or associate |
| 19 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators | 77% | $50,690 | High school |
| 20 | Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 77% | $50,620 | Training or associate |
- 1Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
83% similar · $73,900 · Training or associate · Same group
- 2Robotics Technicians
82% similar · $73,900 (broader group) · Training or associate · Same group
- 3Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
82% similar · $74,090 · Training or associate
- 4Automotive Engineering Technicians
82% similar · $74,510 (broader group) · Training or associate · Same group
- 5Avionics Technicians
80% similar · $82,280 · Training or associate
- 6Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
80% similar · $78,190 · Training or associate · Same group
- 7Machinists
79% similar · $58,750 · Training or associate
- 8Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
79% similar · $65,380 · High school
- 9Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
79% similar · $74,340 · Training or associate
- 10Industrial Machinery Mechanics
79% similar · $64,520 · Training or associate
- 11Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
78% similar · $82,890 · Training or associate · Same group
- 12Geothermal Technicians
78% similar · $49,230 (broader group) · High school
- 13Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
78% similar · $102,040 (broader group) · Training or associate
- 14Medical Equipment Repairers
77% similar · $61,660 · Training or associate
- 15Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
77% similar · $56,210 · Training or associate
- 16Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
77% similar · $109,910 · Training or associate
- 17Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment
77% similar · $84,890 · Training or associate
- 18Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
77% similar · $63,520 · Training or associate
- 19Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
77% similar · $50,690 · High school
- 20Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
77% similar · $50,620 · Training or associate
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for photonics technicians also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where photonics technicians is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Medical Equipment Repairers (87)
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment (82)
- Avionics Technicians (80)
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door (79)
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics (79)
- Machinists (79)
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians (78)
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (77)
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (77)
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (77)
Questions about jobs like photonics technicians
What jobs are most similar to photonics technicians?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians (83% similar), Robotics Technicians (82% similar), Electrical and Electronics Repairers (Commercial and Industrial Equipment) (82% similar), Automotive Engineering Technicians (82% similar) and Avionics Technicians (80% similar).
Do jobs like photonics technicians pay more?
None of the 20 most similar careers has a higher BLS median pay than photonics technicians where a direct comparison is possible.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.