Photonics Technician Salary in 2026
How Much Do Photonics Technicians Make?
Photonics Technicians earn a median annual salary of $77,390 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $47,010 at the 10th percentile to $114,630 at the 90th percentile — a range of $67,620. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $109,120.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,010 |
| 25th percentile | $59,700 |
| Median (50th) | $77,390 |
| 75th percentile | $97,760 |
| 90th percentile | $114,630 |
Photonics Technician Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $109,120 |
| New Mexico | $107,310 |
| Maryland | $104,830 |
| Maine | $101,500 |
| Rhode Island | $98,340 |
| Washington | $96,120 |
| Virginia | $95,640 |
| Hawaii | $90,380 |
| Nevada | $88,860 |
| California | $83,350 |
| Connecticut | $82,700 |
| New Jersey | $81,550 |
| Alabama | $81,060 |
| Indiana | $80,830 |
| Mississippi | $79,790 |
| Wyoming | $79,790 |
| Oklahoma | $79,020 |
| Illinois | $78,730 |
| Minnesota | $78,490 |
| North Dakota | $77,940 |
| Alaska | $77,800 |
| Oregon | $75,130 |
| West Virginia | $74,960 |
| Colorado | $74,360 |
| North Carolina | $74,210 |
| South Carolina | $73,890 |
| Florida | $72,790 |
| Texas | $72,550 |
| Missouri | $71,050 |
| New Hampshire | $70,730 |
| Ohio | $68,170 |
| Michigan | $66,820 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,980 |
| Delaware | $65,930 |
| Massachusetts | $65,890 |
| Wisconsin | $65,790 |
| Louisiana | $65,740 |
| Utah | $64,680 |
| Tennessee | $64,590 |
| Kentucky | $64,360 |
| New York | $64,080 |
| Arkansas | $63,980 |
| Iowa | $63,960 |
| Idaho | $63,920 |
| Arizona | $63,570 |
| Georgia | $60,960 |
| Montana | $60,600 |
| Nebraska | $60,310 |
| Kansas | $60,130 |
| Vermont | $58,350 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Photonics Technicians
Photonics Technician Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$47,010 – $59,700 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$77,390 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$97,760 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $114,630+ |
How to Earn More as a Photonics Technician
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Photonics Technicians in Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area earn $134,430 — $57,040 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($97,760) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Photonics Technician Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Photonics Technicianthis career | $77,390 |
| Electrical Engineer | $111,910 |
| Electronics Engineer | $127,590 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,320 |
| Mechatronics Engineer | $117,750 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Photonics Technician requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 17-3029.08 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.