Compare careers

Factual side-by-side attributes from the imported O*NET and BLS OEWS datasets. No career is ranked or recommended.

Career A (or your current career)

Materials Engineers

Career B (or your target career)

Photonics Technicians

Opens your browser print dialog — choose “Save as PDF”.

Comparison table

MetricMaterials EngineersPhotonics Technicians
National median salary$112,860$78,350
Local median salaryNot publishedNot published
National employment22,77059,930
Typical educationBachelor's DegreeAssociate's Degree or other 2-year degree
Job zone43
Important skillsMathematics, Complex Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension, Science, WritingReading Comprehension, Active Listening, Quality Control Analysis, Critical Thinking, Operations Monitoring
Related careersPhotonics Technicians, Architectural and Engineering Managers, Electronics Engineers, Except Computer, Mechatronics EngineersMechanical Engineers, Robotics Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Career transition: skill overlap

Skill overlap

81%

13 of 16 target skills

Target-only skills

3

Current-only skills

10

Skill overlap compares O*NET skills rated at importance 3.0 or above for each occupation. It is a measure of listed skill overlap, not a probability of getting the job.

Shared skills

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Active Learning
  • Monitoring
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Coordination
  • Time Management

Only in Photonics Technicians

  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Troubleshooting
  • Repairing

Only in Materials Engineers

  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Operations Analysis
  • Systems Analysis
  • Systems Evaluation
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Persuasion
  • Instructing
  • Management of Personnel Resources
  • Learning Strategies