Optical Engineers Salary in Washington DC, DC
Updated 2024 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsUSD $
Median Salary
$133,000
Average Salary
$137,000
Salary Range
$73,000 - $178,000
Est. Employment*
22,800
*Employment figures are estimates based on national occupational data distributed across metro areas. Actual local numbers may vary.
Search Jobs on IndeedSalary Distribution
10th to 90th percentile range. Half of all optical engineers earn between $100,000 and $160,000.
About Optical Engineers in Washington DC
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.
In Washington DC, optical engineers benefit from higher salaries that reflect the area's elevated cost of living. The area's major industries include Federal Government, Government Contracting, Cybersecurity.
Key Skills
Education
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.
Tips to Earn More as a Optical Engineers
Optical Engineers Salary in Other Cities
| City | Median | Range | vs Washington DC |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $150,000 | $82,000 - $201,000 | +13% |
| San Jose, CA | $150,000 | $82,000 - $201,000 | +13% |
| Seattle, WA | $142,000 | $78,000 - $190,000 | +7% |
| New York, NY | $132,000 | $73,000 - $177,000 | -1% |
| Boston, MA | $129,000 | $71,000 - $173,000 | -3% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $124,000 | $68,000 - $166,000 | -7% |
| San Diego, CA | $120,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | -10% |
| Austin, TX | $120,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | -10% |
| Denver, CO | $119,000 | $65,000 - $159,000 | -11% |
| Honolulu, HI | $119,000 | $65,000 - $159,000 | -11% |
| Anchorage, AK | $118,000 | $65,000 - $158,000 | -11% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $117,000 | $64,000 - $156,000 | -12% |
| Sacramento, CA | $117,000 | $64,000 - $156,000 | -12% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $116,000 | $64,000 - $155,000 | -13% |
| Chicago, IL | $115,000 | $63,000 - $154,000 | -14% |
| Portland, OR | $115,000 | $63,000 - $154,000 | -14% |
| Hartford, CT | $115,000 | $63,000 - $154,000 | -14% |
| Dallas, TX | $114,000 | $63,000 - $152,000 | -14% |
| Baltimore, MD | $113,000 | $62,000 - $151,000 | -15% |
| Houston, TX | $110,000 | $61,000 - $147,000 | -17% |
| Atlanta, GA | $110,000 | $61,000 - $147,000 | -17% |
| Charlotte, NC | $108,000 | $59,000 - $144,000 | -19% |
| Raleigh, NC | $107,000 | $59,000 - $143,000 | -20% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $107,000 | $59,000 - $143,000 | -20% |
| Nashville, TN | $106,000 | $58,000 - $142,000 | -20% |
| Kansas City, MO | $106,000 | $58,000 - $142,000 | -20% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $105,000 | $58,000 - $140,000 | -21% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $103,000 | $57,000 - $138,000 | -23% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $103,000 | $57,000 - $138,000 | -23% |
| Miami, FL | $102,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | -23% |
| Detroit, MI | $102,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | -23% |
| Columbus, OH | $102,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | -23% |
| Cleveland, OH | $102,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | -23% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $102,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | -23% |
| Richmond, VA | $102,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | -23% |
| Louisville, KY | $102,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | -23% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $101,000 | $56,000 - $135,000 | -24% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $101,000 | $56,000 - $135,000 | -24% |
| Toronto, ON | $101,000 | $56,000 - $135,000 | -24% |
| St. Louis, MO | $100,000 | $60,000 - $130,000 | -25% |
| New Orleans, LA | $100,000 | $60,000 - $130,000 | -25% |
| Buffalo, NY | $100,000 | $60,000 - $130,000 | -25% |
| Vancouver, BC | $100,000 | $60,000 - $130,000 | -25% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $99,000 | $59,000 - $129,000 | -26% |
| Tampa, FL | $99,000 | $59,000 - $129,000 | -26% |
| San Antonio, TX | $99,000 | $59,000 - $129,000 | -26% |
| Orlando, FL | $98,000 | $59,000 - $127,000 | -26% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $97,000 | $58,000 - $126,000 | -27% |
| Birmingham, AL | $97,000 | $58,000 - $126,000 | -27% |
| Calgary, AB | $97,000 | $58,000 - $126,000 | -27% |
| Memphis, TN | $94,000 | $56,000 - $122,000 | -29% |
| Tucson, AZ | $94,000 | $56,000 - $122,000 | -29% |
| Ottawa, ON | $94,000 | $56,000 - $122,000 | -29% |
| Edmonton, AB | $90,000 | $54,000 - $117,000 | -32% |
| Montreal, QC | $85,000 | $51,000 - $110,000 | -36% |
| Hamilton, ON | $83,000 | $50,000 - $108,000 | -38% |
| Halifax, NS | $81,000 | $49,000 - $105,000 | -39% |
| Winnipeg, MB | $77,000 | $46,000 - $100,000 | -42% |
| Quebec City, QC | $77,000 | $46,000 - $100,000 | -42% |