Optics & Photonics

Pinellas County offers optics and photonics companies a progressive pro-business climate paired with performance-based job creation incentives, competitive tax rates, a network of established industry professionals, developed infrastructure and a skilled workforce. Optics and photonics are significant to the economy, and Florida's Governor has underscored this importance by allocating $10 million to establish the Florida Photonics Center of Excellence (FPCE) at the University of Central Florida's College of Optics and Photonics. Florida is emerging as the nation's leader in photonics-based industries and industries enabled by photonics. 

• There are nearly 1,800 optics and photonics professionals employed in Pinellas County, accounting for 28% of the total optics & photonics employment in Florida's High Tech Corridor.
  
  
• The average annual wage for the optics and photonics industry in Pinellas County is $49,582, creating an annual economic impact of over $66 million.
  
  
• Pinellas County is committed to training tomorrow's optics and photonics professionals through unique workforce development programs, internships, apprenticeships and on-the-job training, fellowships, continuing professional education and extensive partnerships with local colleges and national universities.