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 telecommunications. 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 strong. According to an analysis from Grand View Research, the value of the global fiber optics market was projected to grow from $8.76 billion in 2022 to $14.93 billion in 2030, experiencing compound annual growth of 6.9 percent. "The combined efforts of businesses to innovate fiber networks to reduce operations and maintenance and optical distribution network construction and costs will have a significant impact on market during projected period," according to Grand View Research. "Moreover, increased government initiatives for fiber optic cable deployment are contributed to market growth."

Security, anti-terrorism, and defensive/offensive applications are other growth areas. A growing array of wearable technologies, including body cams, rely on fiber optics, for example. Additionally, considerable research is being conducted on directed energy weapons. The global directed energy weapons market was valued at $6.7 billion in 2024, according to Global Market Insights. The market intelligence firm predicts that its value will increase to $33.4 billion in 2034. "Directed energy weapons, including laser and microwave-based systems, are becoming essential components of modern military arsenals," according to Global Market Insights. "These weapons provide precise, scalable, and cost-effective solutions with advantages such as rapid targeting, minimal ammunition costs, and the ability to neutralize multiple threats simultaneously such as drone threats and missiles."