by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 20 U.S. colleges awarded 203 degrees and certificates in Laser & Optical Technology. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 34% of graduates. College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Laser & Optical Technology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $62,113 one year after completing, rising to $75,955 after four years.
A degree in Laser & Optical Technology explores Laser And Optical Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers And Other Professionals Engaged In Developing And Using Lasers And Other Optical For Commercial Or Research Purposes. Includes Instruction In Laser And Optical Principles, Testing And Maintenance Procedures, Safety Precautions, Specific Applications To Various Tasks, And Report Preparation. Examples: [Photonics Engineering Technology].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, laser & optical technology is a popular field of study, with 203 degrees awarded annually. 20 colleges award laser & optical technology degrees, an average of 10 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 51.
By level, the 203 awards include 65 certificates, 65 associate degrees and 69 master’s degrees.
Women earned 19% of laser & optical technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (38 of 203). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (118) and Hispanic or Latino (39), and international students earned 5.
College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best Laser & Optical Technology Schools ranking, including 2 for associate degrees. It also ranks laser & optical technology schools within 3 states. In all, 20 colleges offer laser & optical technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Laser & Optical Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common laser & optical technology credential is the master’s degree: 69 of the 203 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to laser & optical technology call most for Reading Comprehension, Quality Control Analysis and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Problem Sensitivity and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a laser & optical technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 65 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 65 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 69 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to laser & optical technology, at 47.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 47.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 25.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.9% |
| Some college courses | 6.8% |
| Master’s degree | 2.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Laser & Optical Technology, with an average median salary of $95,412; the strongest outlook belongs to Non-Destructive Testing Specialists, at 3.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Test Technician (Test Tech), Laser Specialist, Laser Assembly Technician (Laser Assembly Tech) and Healthcare Laser Technician (Healthcare Laser Tech).
The occupation related to laser & optical technology with the most projected jobs is Photonics Technicians, at 306,018.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
Laser & Optical Technology graduates earn a median $62,113 one year after completing their program, $75,955 after four years and $73,692 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $62,113 |
| 4 years | $75,955 |
| 5 years | $73,692 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to laser & optical technology is Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, with a median salary of $121,642.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
Laser & Optical Technology has 5 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 9,724 degrees a year; the largest are Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician (7,511), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other (1,734) and Telecommunications Technology/Technician (332). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
