Optical Engineers Salary
Salary data across 60 metro areas in the US & CanadaUSD & CAD
Search Jobs on IndeedAvg Median Salary
$107,017
Highest Paying City
San Francisco
$150,000
Cities Tracked
60
What Do Optical Engineers Do?
Optical Engineers apply scientific and mathematical principles to design, develop, and evaluate systems, structures, and processes. Their technical expertise helps solve practical problems and bring innovative designs to life.
Work environments vary from offices and laboratories to construction sites and manufacturing plants. Some positions require travel to project sites or client locations.
Key Skills for Optical Engineers
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, or a related technical field
A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field is required. Many positions also require professional licensure (PE license for engineers, architectural license for architects). A master's degree can lead to advanced positions.
Career Outlook
Employment is expected to grow about as fast as average, with demand for engineers and architects driven by infrastructure needs, technology development, and environmental sustainability initiatives.
How to Increase Your Optical Engineers Salary
- 1.Learn advanced CAD and simulation software tools
- 2.Specialize in high-demand areas like renewable energy or sustainable design
- 3.Pursue a master's degree or professional certifications
- 4.Develop project management skills alongside technical expertise
- 5.Stay current with building codes, regulations, and industry standards
Optical Engineers Salary by City
| City | Median | Average | Range (10th-90th) | Currency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $150,000 | $167,000 | $82,000 - $201,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Jose, CA | $150,000 | $167,000 | $82,000 - $201,000 | USD | Apply |
| Seattle, WA | $142,000 | $154,000 | $78,000 - $190,000 | USD | Apply |
| Washington DC, DC | $133,000 | $137,000 | $73,000 - $178,000 | USD | Apply |
| New York, NY | $132,000 | $141,000 | $73,000 - $177,000 | USD | Apply |
| Boston, MA | $129,000 | $135,000 | $71,000 - $173,000 | USD | Apply |
| Los Angeles, CA | $124,000 | $127,000 | $68,000 - $166,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Diego, CA | $120,000 | $131,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | USD | Apply |
| Austin, TX | $120,000 | $127,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | USD | Apply |
| Denver, CO | $119,000 | $127,000 | $65,000 - $159,000 | USD | Apply |
| Honolulu, HI | $119,000 | $124,000 | $65,000 - $159,000 | USD | Apply |
| Anchorage, AK | $118,000 | $123,000 | $65,000 - $158,000 | USD | Apply |
| Minneapolis, MN | $117,000 | $122,000 | $64,000 - $156,000 | USD | Apply |
| Sacramento, CA | $117,000 | $122,000 | $64,000 - $156,000 | USD | Apply |
| Philadelphia, PA | $116,000 | $120,000 | $64,000 - $155,000 | USD | Apply |
| Chicago, IL | $115,000 | $126,000 | $63,000 - $154,000 | USD | Apply |
| Portland, OR | $115,000 | $125,000 | $63,000 - $154,000 | USD | Apply |
| Hartford, CT | $115,000 | $125,000 | $63,000 - $154,000 | USD | Apply |
| Dallas, TX | $114,000 | $126,000 | $63,000 - $152,000 | USD | Apply |
| Baltimore, MD | $113,000 | $123,000 | $62,000 - $151,000 | USD | Apply |
| Houston, TX | $110,000 | $118,000 | $61,000 - $147,000 | USD | Apply |
| Atlanta, GA | $110,000 | $119,000 | $61,000 - $147,000 | USD | Apply |
| Charlotte, NC | $108,000 | $119,000 | $59,000 - $144,000 | USD | Apply |
| Raleigh, NC | $107,000 | $118,000 | $59,000 - $143,000 | USD | Apply |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $107,000 | $111,000 | $59,000 - $143,000 | USD | Apply |
| Nashville, TN | $106,000 | $118,000 | $58,000 - $142,000 | USD | Apply |
| Kansas City, MO | $106,000 | $116,000 | $58,000 - $142,000 | USD | Apply |
| Phoenix, AZ | $105,000 | $113,000 | $58,000 - $140,000 | USD | Apply |
| Indianapolis, IN | $103,000 | $114,000 | $57,000 - $138,000 | USD | Apply |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $103,000 | $111,000 | $57,000 - $138,000 | USD | Apply |
| Miami, FL | $102,000 | $109,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | USD | Apply |
| Detroit, MI | $102,000 | $112,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | USD | Apply |
| Columbus, OH | $102,000 | $113,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cleveland, OH | $102,000 | $113,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | USD | Apply |
| Jacksonville, FL | $102,000 | $113,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | USD | Apply |
| Richmond, VA | $102,000 | $106,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | USD | Apply |
| Louisville, KY | $102,000 | $109,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cincinnati, OH | $101,000 | $104,000 | $56,000 - $135,000 | USD | Apply |
| Milwaukee, WI | $101,000 | $113,000 | $56,000 - $135,000 | USD | Apply |
| Toronto, ON | $101,000 | $109,000 | $56,000 - $135,000 | CAD | Apply |
| St. Louis, MO | $100,000 | $104,000 | $60,000 - $130,000 | USD | Apply |
| New Orleans, LA | $100,000 | $105,000 | $60,000 - $130,000 | USD | Apply |
| Buffalo, NY | $100,000 | $106,000 | $60,000 - $130,000 | USD | Apply |
| Vancouver, BC | $100,000 | $104,000 | $60,000 - $130,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Las Vegas, NV | $99,000 | $105,000 | $59,000 - $129,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tampa, FL | $99,000 | $103,000 | $59,000 - $129,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Antonio, TX | $99,000 | $102,000 | $59,000 - $129,000 | USD | Apply |
| Orlando, FL | $98,000 | $101,000 | $59,000 - $127,000 | USD | Apply |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $97,000 | $101,000 | $58,000 - $126,000 | USD | Apply |
| Birmingham, AL | $97,000 | $105,000 | $58,000 - $126,000 | USD | Apply |
| Calgary, AB | $97,000 | $101,000 | $58,000 - $126,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Memphis, TN | $94,000 | $101,000 | $56,000 - $122,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tucson, AZ | $94,000 | $98,000 | $56,000 - $122,000 | USD | Apply |
| Ottawa, ON | $94,000 | $104,000 | $56,000 - $122,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Edmonton, AB | $90,000 | $96,000 | $54,000 - $117,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Montreal, QC | $85,000 | $91,000 | $51,000 - $110,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Hamilton, ON | $83,000 | $88,000 | $50,000 - $108,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Halifax, NS | $81,000 | $83,000 | $49,000 - $105,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Winnipeg, MB | $77,000 | $81,000 | $46,000 - $100,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Quebec City, QC | $77,000 | $86,000 | $46,000 - $100,000 | CAD | Apply |