11 In-Demand Laser Jobs: Salary, Education, and Job Outlook

Skincare specialist

• Job growth: 29%
• Average salary: $41,230
• Required education: Varies. Most states require skincare specialists to complete an approved program and licensing exam. Some skincare professionals have a medical or nursing degree.

Lasers can resurface layers of the skin to remove wrinkles, tattoos, and unwanted hair.

Different types of skincare professionals using lasers include:

• Estheticians focusing on the skin's outward appearance. You can complete an esthetician training program in a few months.
• Dermatologists completing a medical degree and must pass a certifying exam. Dermatologists also make more money than other skincare specialists — over $200,000 a year, on average.
• Some medical skincare facilities hire nurses to perform laser treatments.

Dental hygienist

• Job growth: 11%
• Average salary: $78,050
• Required education: Associate degree. Check out some of the best dental hygienist programs.

In some oral surgeries, dental hygienists use lasers to remove diseased tissue in the mouth and prevent infection. In some more recent uses, dental pros use lasers to treat jaw pain and even regrow teeth, as lasers encourage cell growth.

Registered nurse

• Job growth: 9%
• Average salary: $80,010
• Required education: Associate or bachelor's degree

Anytime you're working with intense lasers, someone present needs to have laser safety training. In the operating room, registered nurses (RNs) may take on this role. This means they complete special training to become a certified laser safety officer.

Surgical technologist

• Job growth: 9%
• Average salary: $51,510
• Required education: A diploma, certificate, or associate degree

Surgical technologists organize and clean the tools used for surgeries and help assist the surgical team. In several operations, surgeons use lasers. For instance, to cauterize incisions, break up kidney stones, or even destroy cancerous tumors.

Surgical techs ensure lasers are correctly aligned and that everyone in the room has the appropriate gear to protect their eyes from laser beams.

Welder

• Job growth: 8%
• Average salary: $46,690
• Required education: Apprenticeship

Welders use different techniques and tools depending on the type of material they're welding. In some applications, they use handheld lasers. Laser welding can sometimes be faster and more precise, especially when joining metals or plastics that can be difficult to weld otherwise.

You don't need a college degree to become a welder. However, if you want to specialize in laser welding or just learn more about this budding technology, consider taking a laser welding course at a local trade school or community college.

Photonics engineer

• Job growth: 7% (for all engineers)
• Average salary: $107,060
• Required education: At least a bachelor's degree

If you want to design the lasers used in any one of these jobs, consider becoming a photonics engineer or optical engineer. Photonics and optical engineers research, design, and improve laser technology. They may also specialize in other technologies that harness the power of light, like broadband internet and solar energy panels.

Mechanical engineer

• Job growth: 7%
• Average salary: $95,560
• Required education: Bachelor's degree or an associate of applied science

Let's say you want a career designing machines that use lasers. For example, 3D printing machines or laser cutters. In that case, becoming a mechanical engineer may be the path for you. Mechanical engineers design mechanical systems.

Laser operator

• Job growth: 7%
• Average salary: $44,300 (for CNC operator)
• Required education: On-the-job training

In manufacturing, someone needs to operate and supervise the laser cutter machines on the shop floor. These roles are called laser operators or laser CNC (for computer numerical control) operators.

Laser operator jobs offer room for advancement. After some experience, you could become a shop floor supervisor. In addition, you could expand your role and marketability by training to become a laser safety officer with the LIA.

Ophthalmologist

• Job growth: 5%
• Average salary: $218,850
• Required education: Medical school

Since the dawn of Lasik surgery a couple of decades ago, ophthalmologists have used lasers to reshape patients' corneas, correcting their vision. Becoming an ophthalmologist requires getting an M.D., which takes four more years of study after earning a four-year bachelor's degree.

Chemical technician

• Job growth: 5%
• Average salary: $53,700
• Required education: Associate degree

Chemical technicians assist chemists and chemical engineers in laboratories to develop products — such as soaps, plastics, paint, and more — or improve the processes for making chemical solutions.

Lab teams also use lasers to measure and analyze chemical particles. This is especially useful for ensuring that the chemicals in paints and pesticides stay put and don't drift off surfaces, causing pollution.

Automotive technician

• Job growth: 0%
• Average salary: $46,760
• Required education: Certificate, diploma, or associate degree. Check out some of the best auto mechanic schools.

During production, manufacturers use lasers to weld and trim parts. Lasers also show up in car lights and interiors. Auto technicians are constantly keeping up with the latest in car technology, and they may need to know how to replace or repair a car's lasers.

Soon, you may find more lasers in car headlights. Laser headlights don't just illuminate the road ahead — they also transmit data back to the car — like the distance from an obstacle or another vehicle.