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Photonics Technicians Salary in IL

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Photonics Technicians in IL have a median annual salary of $79,800, with 940 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $57,160 at the 10th percentile to $101,920 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$79,800

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$38.37

Employment

940

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$57,160
10th
$64,840
25th
$79,800
Median
$93,470
75th
$101,920
90th

Local compared with national

IL

$79,800

Median annual · 2025

United States

$78,350

Median annual · 2025

The IL median is 1.9% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $1,450).

Top skills

  1. 1.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.5
  2. 2.Active ListeningImportance 3.4
  3. 3.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.4
  4. 4.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.4
  5. 5.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.4
  6. 6.Active LearningImportance 3.3
  7. 7.MonitoringImportance 3.3
  8. 8.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 3.3
  9. 9.WritingImportance 3.1
  10. 10.SpeakingImportance 3.1
  11. 11.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.1
  12. 12.TroubleshootingImportance 3.1

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Microsoft Office software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
  • Data acquisition software
  • Database software
  • Facebook
  • Image processing software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • National Instruments LabVIEW
  • SAP software
  • Statistical analysis software
  • The MathWorks MATLAB

Common tasks

  • Compute or record photonic test data.
  • Maintain clean working environments, according to clean room standards.
  • Adjust or maintain equipment, such as lasers, laser systems, microscopes, oscilloscopes, pulse generators, power meters, beam analyzers, or energy measurement devices.
  • Document procedures, such as calibration of optical or fiber optic equipment.
  • 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.
  • Assist scientists or engineers in the conduct of photonic experiments.
  • Test or perform failure analysis for optomechanical or optoelectrical products, according to test plans.
  • Assist engineers in the development of new products, fixtures, tools, or processes.
  • Recommend optical or optic equipment design or material changes to reduce costs or processing times.
  • Set up or operate prototype or test apparatus, such as control consoles, collimators, recording equipment, or cables.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Photonics Technicians salary in other locations

Other occupations in IL