This chart defines the specific occupations that have been included in the workforce cluster (aggregate view) or occupational group in this report. A more detailed view of each occupation is available by clicking the linked occupation which will open MCC Career Coach providing career exploration and occupational details within a selected region. To find more information on the job titles and skill sets that are aligned to each occupation, click on the linked SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) which will open O*NET OnLine, a database of occupations developed under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration. View detailed Data Sources.
Advanced Manufacturing
Optical Systems Technology
Optical systems technology offers a unique range of work choices in high technology fields. Career pathways and advancement in optics diverge into three main areas: production and development, fabrication, and metrology. Technicians produce, test and handle optical components used in lasers and sophisticated electro-optical systems for defense, homeland security, aerospace, biomedical equipment, digital displays, telecom and nanotechnology.
Optical Systems Technology – Finger Lakes, NY / Finger Lakes NY
Finger Lakes NY
The data below is based on the following 9 counties: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates.
Standard Occupational Classifications (SOC), occupations, wages and estimated demand.
| WAGES | |||||||
| SOC | Occupations | 10th Percentile |
50th Percentile |
90th Percentile |
Growth | Replacements | Openings |
| 17-3023.00 | Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians | 22.09 | 34.94 | 45.91 | 3 | 41 | 44 |
| 17-3024.00 | Electro-Mechanical Technicians | 24.35 | 31.27 | 40.85 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| 17-3026.00 | Industrial Engineering Technicians | 21.29 | 28.14 | 37.87 | 5 | 65 | 70 |
| 17-3027.00 | Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians | 23.72 | 32.39 | 41.73 | 1 | 10 | 11 |
| 17-3028.00 | Calibration Technologists and Technicians | 20.97 | 29.82 | 38.80 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 17-3029.00 | Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 17.85 | 28.31 | 42.22 | 1 | 19 | 20 |
| 49-2094.00 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment | 23.99 | 31.40 | 47.37 | 0 | 12 | 12 |
| 51-2028.00 | Electrical, electronic, and electromechanical assemblers, except coil winders, tapers, and finishers | 16.96 | 18.80 | 26.03 | 18 | 219 | 237 |
| 51-4033.00 | Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 16.71 | 20.13 | 27.47 | 3 | 37 | 40 |
| 51-9022.00 | Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand | 16.36 | 19.14 | 34.57 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 51-9061.00 | Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers | 16.92 | 23.04 | 31.98 | 15 | 309 | 324 |
| 51-9083.00 | Ophthalmic laboratory technicians | 16.86 | 18.97 | 23.91 | 3 | 45 | 48 |
| Averages & Total | $19.84 | $26.36 | $36.56 | 54 | 768 | 823 | |
Wages and demand based on the 9 county region: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates.
Q3 2025 EMSI Occupation data.
Estimated Annual Churn is the average of the separations and hires within an occupation divided by the total employment for that occupation. Estimated Annual Attrition is calculated by dividing the separations within an occupation by the total employment for the occupation.
Q3 2025 EMSI Occupation data.
Occupational group hourly wages.
About
This chart provides entry (10th percentile), median (50th percentile), and high (90th percentile) wage data for the workforce cluster in the region selected. View detailed data sources.
Hourly Wage
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Total Workforce Wages for Occupational Group (10th, 50th and 90th percentile)
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5-Year Median Wage MCC Graduates in Related Programs
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$25 Self-sufficiency standard for 2 adults + 1 preschooler (Monroe County, NY)
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$18 Self-sufficiency standard for 1 adult + 1 preschooler (Monroe County, NY)
Wage curve based on the 9 county region: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates.
Q3 2025 EMSI Occupation data.
Regional program completions vs. estimated annual openings.
This measurement aims to provide a regionally based supply and demand report, comparing the total estimated number of learners completing a relevant middle-skills training or education program within a region, against estimated industry demand for those middle-skills workers that have been included for purposes of this analysis in a specific occupational group or workforce cluster. Additional source information and detailed completion data are available in Data Sources.
About
The estimated deficit or surplus of workers in an occupational grouping or workforce cluster, as defined by the report, compares the number of individuals who completed a formal training or education program against the estimated demand for entry-level occupations relevant to a program’s workforce focus. View detailed Data Sources.
| Middle-Skill Education Provider | September 2022 - August 2023 Completions | Estimated Annual Job Openings | Estimated Gap (Δ) |
| Monroe Community College | 20 | 823 | -803** |
| Total | 20* |
Data is estimated, not predictive.
Source: Includes associates degrees; awards of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years; awards of less than 1 academic year; and non-credit awards of 1 academic year or less from Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Q3 2025 EMSI Occupation data.
2025 Total Workforce: 7,411 Optical Systems Technology – Finger Lakes, NY Workers.
10-year aging out projection: 34.0% are approaching retirement age.
Source: IPEDS and noncredit self-reported data from application education providers.
Q3 2025 EMSI Occupation data.
Student Metrics and Total Impact for MCC’s Optical Systems Technology – Finger Lakes, NY related programs.
About
This chart represents the increased wages collected by former students active in the Monroe County workforce as a direct result of their MCC education, the increased output of businesses that employ them, and the multiplier effects that occur. View data sources.
| Estimated Lifetime Earnings Increase per Student | $1,400,000 |
| Annual Economic Impact per Student | $8,200 |
| Total Student Impact in FY 2015-16 | $12,000,000 |
Student Return on Investment.
For every dollar students invest in their education in the Optical Systems Technology program at MCC, they will receive an estimated $9.40 back over the course of their working lives. This investment provides a 25.5% rate of return. This is a favorable return, especially when compared to the U.S. stock market 30-year average return of 10.1%.
Lifetime Earnings.
Average Annual Earnings
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Program Completer
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High School Graduate
Job postings summary.
About
This table provides the total number of unique job postings for the occupations that have been included within either the occupational group or workforce cluster for a given month. By comparing the number of unique online postings to total online postings, a measurement of posting intensity can be estimated. Posting intensity may be used to understand the amount of recruitment being done online for a single opportunity. View detailed Data Sources.
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Unique postings (Jun 2025) 329964 total postings |
Posting intensity (Jun 2025) 2.9 : 1Regional average: 3.3 : 1 |
There were 964 total job postings for the Optical Systems Technology – Finger Lakes, NY in June 2025, of which 329 were unique. These numbers give us a posting intensity of 2.9 : 1, meaning that for every 2.9 postings there is 1 unique job posting.
June 2025 EMSI Hires data.
Top skills.
Based on online job postings May 2, 2023 – May 2, 2024.
About
This chart displays the skills that were in greatest demand for the occupations within the workforce cluster or occupational group. An analysis of skills derived from online job postings is useful for understanding if learning outcomes within a relevant education or training program relates to the skills most in demand in the labor market. View detailed Data Sources.
| Troubleshooting (Problem Solving) |
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| Communication |
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| Detail Oriented |
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| Operations |
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| Problem Solving |
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| Hand Tools |
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| Microsoft Excel |
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| Computer Literacy |
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| Management |
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| Test Equipment |
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Data Source: Lightcast Job Posting Analytics.
Top employers.
Based on online job postings May 2, 2023 – May 2, 2024.
| L3Harris Technologies |
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| Unclassified |
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| Adecco |
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| State of New York |
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| Aerotek |
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| Eastman Kodak |
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| Nesco Resource |
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| Transcat |
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| Lsi Solutions |
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| Plug Power |
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Data Source: Lightcast Job Posting Analytics.
Most frequent certifications.
Based on online job postings May 2, 2023 – May 2, 2024.
| Valid Driver's License |
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| Security Clearance |
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| Certified Calibration Technician |
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| Engineer in Training |
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| American Concrete Institute (ACI) Certification |
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| Professional Engineer (PE) License |
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| American Red Cross (ARC) Certification |
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| Secret Clearance |
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| Project Management Professional Certification |
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| ASNT Non-Destructive Tester |
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Data Source: Lightcast Job Posting Analytics.
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