by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, laser and optical technology/technician was the 1,025 most popular major nationwide with 181 degrees awarded. This represents a 15.5% increase in laser and optical techn degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 153.
This year's Best Laser & Optical Technology Schools ranking compares 4 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom laser and optical techn rankings further below.
Laser & Optical Technology majors are found most commonly in careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is important. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times are all required skills for careers related to this major.
laser and optical technology/technician degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic laser and optical technology/technician program qualifications, to serve in some laser and optical techn careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Laser and Optical Tech degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in laser and optical technology/technician to something that takes less time like a . Different laser and optical technology/technician degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to laser and optical techn, with approximately 36.7% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to laser and optical techn tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 39.4% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 17.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 15.8% |
| High School Diploma | 14.5% |
| Some College Courses | 7.9% |
Most workers in laser and optical techn have at least a associate degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in laser and optical technology/technician have received.
This of course varies depending on which laser and optical techn career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your laser and optical techn degree? Laser & Optical Technology careers are expected to grow 5.2% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to laser and optical technology/technician.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technicians | 80,800 | 5.2% |
As you might expect, salaries for laser and optical techn graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for laser and optical technology/technician graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers laser and optical techn grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technicians | $65,720 |
With over 44 different laser and optical techn degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased laser and optical techn school rankings to help you with this.
One of 5 majors within the Electronics Engineering Technology area of study, Laser & Optical Technology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronic & Communications Engineering Technology | 6,321 |
| Other Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technologies | 1,640 |
| Telecommunications Technology | 421 |
| Audio Engineering Technology | 29 |
