Laser Technicians

Employment opportunities for laser technicians are expected to be good through the next decade. Rapid changes in technology and continued growth in the industry will almost certainly lead to an increase in the number of technicians employed. Currently the demand far outweighs the supply of qualified laser technicians.

One of the fastest growing areas for laser technicians is fiber optic systems that are used in communications. Optical fiber is replacing wire cables in communication lines and in many electronic products. This trend is expected to continue, so the demand for technicians in the fiber optics field should be especially strong. According to an April 2019 analysis from Grand View Research, the global fiber optics market was projected to reach $9.1 billion by 2025, following compound annual growth of 4.6 percent. The firm's report identified security and anti-terrorism applications as another growth area. A growing array of wearable technologies, including body cams, rely on fiber optics, for example. Technicians interested in research and development should keep in mind that job growth often slows in the face of economic downturns.