Salary of a Laser Technician in Dallas

A laser technician builds, repairs and operates lasers.

Dubbed the "Silicon Prairie", Dallas, Texas, is the home of several large corporations, such as ExxonMobil, Dean Foods, Kimberly Clarke and Texas Instruments. The area is also a hub for technology based industries. According to City-data.com, the "Telecom Corridor" hosts companies such as Alcatel, Ericsson, and Southwestern Bell. For those working or interested in laser technology these factors make Dallas and its surrounding areas look very attractive.

Job Description

Laser technicians build, calibrate, test and repair lasers. Laser technicians can be found in many industries, including the medical, military, aerospace and technology industries, which abound in Texas. Laser technicians work under the supervision of scientists and engineers, and are often an integral part of experiments the scientists are conducting. Some technicians also install lasers onto equipment, and modify optics to utilize lasers. A laser technician might work in a laboratory, or travel to specific locations to run or repair lasers for various companies.

Education and Experience

A laser technician generally holds either a certificate or an associate's degree in a technology field, such as laser technology, electronic technology or electro-optics. Technical and vocational education schools often offer such fields of study. A laser technician with an associate's degree will have more employment opportunities, but a technician with a certificate and experience working in the field can do well also. For jobs in the aerospace industry, a military background where lasers were used is considered a fair substitute for a lack of formal education.

Salary

According to the Economic Research Institute, the average salary of a laser technician in Dallas, Texas is $58,000 per year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes these workers in the Engineering Technician category. As of 2008, engineering technicians earned $54,000 in Dallas, Texas, with the top 10 percent earning $80,000 and the bottom 10 percent earning $38,000.

Job Outlook

With the increases in technology and medical research, the job outlook for laser technicians is expected positive, but the growth will be at a slower than average rate. According to the BLS, growth for engineering technicians is expected to average 5 percent between 2008 and 2018. Laser technicians with specialized degrees will enjoy more opportunities than those without degrees or those who hold certificates. The slowdown in growth is attributed to companies outsourcing much of their research overseas in an attempt to decrease production costs, but demand for laser technicians is still expected to increase.

References

• Economic Research Institute: Laser Technician Salary Survey Data in Dallas, Texas
• OneCareerStop: Wages by Occupation and Local Area: Wages for Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Engineering Technicians
• City-data.com: Dallas: Economy