Other Science Technicians
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Other Science Technicians includes jobs like Calibration Technician, Fibre Technologist, Optics Technical Officer, Physics Technical Officer, and Textile Technical Officer.
Tasks
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Prepares materials for experimentation, including freezing and slicing specimens and mixing chemicals.
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Collects information and samples.
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Conducts field and laboratory experiments, tests and analyses.
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Presents results in graphic or written form by preparing maps charts, sketches, diagrams and reports.
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Performs routine mathematical calculations and computations of measurement.
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Controls the quality and quantity of laboratory supplies by testing samples and monitoring usage.
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Checks, calibrates and maintains test equipment.
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Participates in fabricating, installing and modifying equipment to ensure that critical standards are met.
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Analytical
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Administrative
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Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Science Technicians, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 71% of people employed as Other Science Technicians work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 5 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Other Science Technicians work in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Other Science Technicians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 26.0 | 31.6 |
VIC | 29.8 | 25.6 |
QLD | 16.6 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.5 | 7.0 |
WA | 15.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.5 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.9 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.8 | 1.9 |
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Around 65% of Other Science Technicians live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Western Australia and Victoria have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Other Science Technicians is 44 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 35% of the workforce. This is 13 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Other Science Technicians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 6.2 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 20.0 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 23.0 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 26.2 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 10.8 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 7.7 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 4.9 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 44 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
This group includes jobs that might have different study pathways.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Laboratory Operations, Food Processing and Australian Meat Processing VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Other Science Technicians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 9.6 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 24.0 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 18.2 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 26.4 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 12.7 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 2.6 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 6.5 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Science Technicians who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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52%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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52%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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50%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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50%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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50%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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50%
InstallationInstalling equipment, machines, wiring, or programs.
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48%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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48%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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48%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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46%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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46%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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46%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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45%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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45%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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45%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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43%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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43%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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43%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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69%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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68%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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66%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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66%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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60%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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59%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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52%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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49%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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46%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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46%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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41%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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40%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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38%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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37%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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35%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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32%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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27%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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27%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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23%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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22%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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55%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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54%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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52%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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50%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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50%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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50%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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50%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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48%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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48%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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48%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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48%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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46%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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45%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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45%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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45%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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43%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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41%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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41%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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39%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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68%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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66%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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65%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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65%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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61%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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60%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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60%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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59%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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58%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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57%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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57%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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55%
Drafting, laying out, and specifying partsDetailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
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55%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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54%
Working with electronic equipmentServicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.
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53%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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52%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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50%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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49%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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47%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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45%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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76%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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57%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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33%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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19%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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67%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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67%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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62%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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62%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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62%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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62%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
Demands
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94%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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90%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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90%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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89%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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87%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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84%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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79%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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77%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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76%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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74%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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73%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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72%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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71%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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71%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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69%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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65%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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64%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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63%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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63%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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62%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 17-3029.08 - Photonics Technicians.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.