The NewAmerican Frontier
Job Training for the Next Technological Age
A forward-looking blueprint for job training in the age of AI, from the front lines of technological change.
The view from the edge of the learning curve. New technologies are changing the labor market. What can we learn about new jobs from the regions where they landed first?
The view from the edge of the learning curve
New technologies are changing the labor market
New technologies are changing the labor market
What can we learn about new jobs from the regions where they landed first?
What can we learn about new jobs from the regions where they landed first?
Quantum
Quantum technology uses behaviors within individual atoms to measure, communicate, and compute in ways conventional electronics cannot. It could improve drug discovery, materials design, navigation, timing, and secure communications.
Industry
Quantum
Colorado (CO), US
The Quantum Range (Colorado)
Quantum, projected to create up to $2T in economic value, is moving out of the lab into the marketplace, and hiring is expanding beyond PhDs into technician and production roles. The New American Frontier explores the 50+ quantum companies in the Mountain West region and the education partners building first-of-their-kind programs in fields like cryogenics.
Top Jobs in Quantum without a BA
Priority jobs for the New American Frontier are accessible (no BA Required) and pay well (above median wages)
Source: Authors' analysis; Revelio Labs; Methodology
Quantum Fast Facts
$2 trillion
~$2 billion
22,184
associate's degrees at 1,994 institutions
62,272
certificates at 2,373 institutions
Awarded in quantum-relevant fields (optics, vacuum systems, electronics) in the U.S. in 2024
25%
Roles accessible without a BA
$44,000–$105,000
Typical annual pay for non-BA jobs
Source: Authors' analysis; IPEDS; Revelio Labs; McKinsey; Methodology
Technology Overview
Quantum technology uses behaviors within individual atoms to measure, communicate, and compute in ways conventional electronics cannot. It could improve drug discovery, materials design, navigation, timing, and secure communications.
Technology Use Cases
Quantum sensing and timing
Ultra-precise measurement of gravity, time, and electromagnetic fields. Most mature quantum segment. Applications are deployable today, such as GPS.
Quantum communications
Secure transmission of information using quantum states that enables tamper-evident communication. Early stage, with large-scale networks still years away.
Quantum computing
Enhanced computing performance for problems that today’s supercomputers cannot solve. Early applications include drug discovery, materials design, and financial market simulation. Remains in the R&D phase, with broad commercial use typically estimated at 5–10 years away.
Economic and National Security Implications
Economic competitiveness
Quantum could touch most major sectors with estimates projecting trillions in long-term economic value. McKinsey projects up to $2 trillion for early adopters and BCG estimates $450–850 billion from computing alone.
National security implications
Sensing can aid stealth detection. Networks could secure military and intelligence communications. Advanced computers threaten current encryption standards. The US leads in quantum computing and sensing; China leads in aspects of quantum networks and is investing heavily in R&D.
Example Jobs without a BA
| Job title | Also known as… | What this role does | Sample skills | Common credentials | Ex. Employers | Est. Pay Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assembly Technician | Production Technician, Assembly Operations Technician, Technician Specialist Associate | Build components to specification and quality standards so products perform consistently | Electro-mechanical assembly, Precision mechanical tools, Reading technical drawings | N/A | Vescent Photonics, Maybell Quantum, Rocky Mountain Instrument Co, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Excelitas Technologies Corporation | $44,000 - $78,000 |
| Maintenance Technician | Manufacturing Specialist | Maintain and repair equipment to reduce downtime in labs and production | Troubleshooting electro-mechanical systems, Calibration and recordkeeping | Certificate in Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology; Certificate in Energy Systems Installation and Repair Technology | Vescent, Quantinuum, IBM, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Excelitas Technologies Corporation | $50,000 - $73,000 |
| Electronics Technician | R&D Technician, RF Technician, Opto-Mechanical Technician, Coating Technician | Test and evaluate hardware performance, record results, and troubleshoot issues so teams can improve product performance | Electro-optical characterization, Cable assembly, Soldering, Reading electrical schematics | Associates or Certificate in Computer and Information Science; Associates in Computer Sciences; Associates in Information Science | Vescent, Quantinuum, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, IBM, Northrop Grumman | $58,000 - $105,000 |
Quantum Education on the Frontier
Front Range Community College (FRCC) (Colorado)
Associate of Applied Science or Certificate in Optics, Quantum, & Laser Technology; Certificate in Optics Fabrication
FRCC offers a set of “stackable credentials” in optics technology, including a one-semester (13 credit) Optics Fabrication certificate, two-semester (26 credit) certificate in Optics, Quantum, and Laser technology, and a two-year (60 credit) Associate of Applied Science degree. The certificates prepare students for jobs in optics fabrication and assembly, with the Associate's degree also preparing students for work in laboratory and cleanroom environments and laser and photonics roles. Students can expect to gain skills such as quality assurance, manual fabrication, clean room, process control, electronic instrumentation, vacuum systems, and optical drawings and devices. The program utilizes the campus's Center for Integrated Manufacturing with breadboard tables and optical fabrication equipment. Through the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub, FRCC received funding to expand its Optics Technology program.
Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) (New Mexico)
10-week Quantum Technician Bootcamp
CNM’s Quantum Technician bootcamp is a 10-week, full-time program developed to prepare students for jobs in the semiconductor, solar manufacturing, and opto-electronics industries. The bootcamp leverages a new Quantum Learning Lab (QuLL) to teach the fundamentals of quantum science, technology, and physics such as optics and photonics, ultra-high vacuum systems, and quantum information systems. The Quantum bootcamp builds on a model developed through CNM’s first-of-its-kind Internet of Things (IoT) bootcamp at the college’s research park campus. The model includes a hands-on, no math and science prerequisite structure, with ten weeks of full-time, high-intensity work. The program has the tools to prepare students for high-tech manufacturing such as semiconductor-grade vacuum systems, lasers, lenses, mirror, and electronics test equipment.