Photonics Technicians
Architecture and Engineering Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 17-3029.08
Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
High· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.26–0.32· 4 ISCO-08 groups
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
ILO value for each linked ISCO-08 group
- ISCO-08 3115Mechanical Engineering Technicians0.26
- ISCO-08 3116Chemical Engineering Technicians0.32
- ISCO-08 3117Mining and metallurgical technicians0.28
- ISCO-08 3119Physical and Engineering Science Technicians Not Elsewhere Classified0.26
Task-level exposure
Show 28 hidden tasks30 rated tasks · 10 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (33.3%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- 6 rated tasks are not in the O*NET 31.0 task list; their scores are kept as published for O*NET 27.2.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % |
|---|---|
Compute or record photonic test data.17-3029.08 | 0.007456.7 |
Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments.17-3029.08 | 0.005643.3 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Build photonics tools to be applied to electrical grids to detect hot spots, such as failing insulators or conductors.O*NET Task ID 19733 | 1.0 |
Compute or record photonic test data.O*NET Task ID 20384 | 1.0 |
Document procedures, such as calibration of optical or fiber optic equipment.O*NET Task ID 20385 | 1.0 |
Monitor inventory levels and order supplies as necessary.O*NET Task ID 16709 | 0.5 |
Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments.O*NET Task ID 16715 | 0.5 |
Perform diagnostic analyses of processing steps, using analytical or metrological tools, such as microscopy, profilometry, or ellipsometry devices.O*NET Task ID 16716 | 0.5 |
Lay out cutting lines for machining, using drafting tools.O*NET Task ID 16720 | 0.5 |
Assist engineers in the development of new products, fixtures, tools, or processes.O*NET Task ID 16721 | 0.5 |
Develop solar power sources for lasers used in fiber optics.O*NET Task ID 19734 | 0.5 |
Recommend optical or optic equipment design or material changes to reduce costs or processing times.O*NET Task ID 20386 | 0.5 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (24)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Monitor inventory levels and order supplies as necessary. | Core |
| Maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards. | Core |
| Test or perform failure analysis for optomechanical or optoelectrical products, according to test plans. | Core |
| Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments. | Core |
| Assist engineers in the development of new products, fixtures, tools, or processes. | Core |
| Set up or operate prototype or test apparatus, such as control consoles, collimators, recording equipment, or cables. | Core |
| Set up or operate assembly or processing equipment, such as lasers, cameras, die bonders, wire bonders, dispensers, reflow ovens, soldering irons, die shears, wire pull testers, temperature or humidity chambers, or optical spectrum analyzers. | Core |
| Adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices. | Core |
| Compute or record photonic test data. | Core |
| Document procedures, such as calibration of optical or fiber optic equipment. | Core |
| Recommend optical or optic equipment design or material changes to reduce costs or processing times. | Core |
| Perform diagnostic analyses of processing steps, using analytical or metrological tools, such as microscopy, profilometry, or ellipsometry devices. | Supplemental |
| Mix, pour, or use processing chemicals or gases according to safety standards or established operating procedures. | Supplemental |
| Design, build, or modify fixtures used to assemble parts. | Supplemental |
| Lay out cutting lines for machining, using drafting tools. | Supplemental |
| Assemble or adjust parts or related electrical units of prototypes to prepare for testing. | Supplemental |
| Splice fibers, using fusion splicing or other techniques. | Supplemental |
| Terminate, cure, polish, or test fiber cables with mechanical connectors. | Supplemental |
| Repair or calibrate products, such as surgical lasers. | Supplemental |
| Fabricate devices, such as optoelectronic or semiconductor devices. | Supplemental |
| Build prototype optomechanical devices for use in equipment such as aerial cameras, gun sights, or telescopes. | Supplemental |
| Assemble fiber optical, optoelectronic, or free-space optics components, subcomponents, assemblies, or subassemblies. | Supplemental |
| Assemble components of energy-efficient optical communications systems involving photonic switches, optical backplanes, or optoelectronic interfaces. | Supplemental |
| Optimize photonic process parameters by making prototype or production devices. | Supplemental |
0.80/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Test or perform failure analysis for optomechanical or optoelectrical products, according to test plans. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Assist engineers in the development of new products, fixtures, tools, or processes. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Set up or operate prototype or test apparatus, such as control consoles, collimators, recording equipment, or cables. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Set up or operate assembly or processing equipment, such as lasers, cameras, die bonders, wire bonders, dispensers, reflow ovens, soldering irons, die shears, wire pull testers, temperature or humidity chambers, or optical spectrum analyzers. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Perform diagnostic analyses of processing steps, using analytical or metrological tools, such as microscopy, profilometry, or ellipsometry devices. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Mix, pour, or use processing chemicals or gases according to safety standards or established operating procedures. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Design, build, or modify fixtures used to assemble parts. | E0 none |
| Lay out cutting lines for machining, using drafting tools. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Assemble or adjust parts or related electrical units of prototypes to prepare for testing. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Splice fibers, using fusion splicing or other techniques. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Terminate, cure, polish, or test fiber cables with mechanical connectors. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Repair or calibrate products, such as surgical lasers. | E0 none |
| Fabricate devices, such as optoelectronic or semiconductor devices. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Build prototype optomechanical devices for use in equipment such as aerial cameras, gun sights, or telescopes. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Assemble fiber optical, optoelectronic, or free-space optics components, subcomponents, assemblies, or subassemblies. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Assemble components of energy-efficient optical communications systems involving photonic switches, optical backplanes, or optoelectronic interfaces. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Optimize photonic process parameters by making prototype or production devices. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
Values for the whole SOC 17-3029 group (Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other), not for this O*NET occupation alone.
- Employment, 2025
- 62K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 64K
- Change (2025–35)
- +2.8%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $78,350
- Typical education needed for entry
- Associate's degree
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23990 | 그 외 공학 관련 기술자 및 시험원 | This occupation is narrower | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 0310Armed Forces Occupations, Other Ranks
- ISCO-08 3115Mechanical Engineering Technicians
- ISCO-08 3116Chemical Engineering Technicians
- ISCO-08 3117Mining and metallurgical technicians
- ISCO-08 3119Physical and Engineering Science Technicians Not Elsewhere Classified
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- photonics engineering technicianESCO 3119.11Same scope
Photonics engineering technicians collaborate with engineers in the development of photonic systems or components, usually in the form of optical equipment, such as lasers, lenses, and fibre optic equipment. Photonics engineering technicians build, test, install and calibrate optical equipment. They read blueprint and other technical drawings to develop testing and calibrating procedures.
- optoelectronic engineering technicianESCO 3114.1.8Overlapping, not the same
Optoelectronic engineering technicians collaborate with engineers in the development of optoelectronic systems and components, such as photodiodes, optical sensors, lasers and LED's. Optoelectronic engineering technicians build, test, install and calibrate optoelectronic equipment. They read blueprint and other technical drawings to develop testing and calibrating procedures.
- photonics engineerESCO 2149.10.1Overlapping, not the same
Photonics engineers are concerned with the generation, transmission, transformation, and detection of light. They conduct research, design, assemble, test and deploy photonic components or systems in multiple application fields, from optical communications to medical instrumentation, material processing or sensing technology.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| H2923 | Ajusteur-régleur / Ajusteuse-régleuse de fabrication en instruments d'optique | Overlapping, not the same |
| H1210 | Technicien / Technicienne R&D | Related, not a match |
| I1305 | Technicien / Technicienne installation et maintenance électronique | Related, not a match |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 3129 | Otros técnicos de las ciencias físicas, químicas, medioambientales y de las ingenierías | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| 3124 | Técnicos en electrónica (excepto electromedicina) | Related, not a match |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 21363 | Berufe in der Feinoptik - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Overlapping, not the same |
| 26313 | Berufe in der Informations- und Telekommunikationstechnik - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Overlapping, not the sameprovisional |
| 21362 | Berufe in der Feinoptik - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
| 41413 | Berufe im physikalisch-technischen Laboratorium - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 082 | 電気・電子・電気通信技術者（通信ネットワーク技術者を除く）（開発を除く） | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 545 | 計量計測機器・光学機械器具組立従事者 | Related, not a matchprovisional |
| 555 | 計量計測機器・光学機械器具整備・修理従事者 | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources