Photonics Engineers Salary in San Diego, CA
Updated 2024 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsUSD $
Median Salary
$122,000
Average Salary
$128,000
Salary Range
$67,000 - $163,000
Est. Employment*
8,300
*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 photonics engineers earn between $92,000 and $147,000.
About Photonics Engineers in San Diego
Photonics Engineers use their expertise in math, science, and design to create solutions for real-world challenges. Whether working on infrastructure, products, or systems, they ensure that designs are safe, efficient, and functional.
In San Diego, photonics engineers benefit from higher salaries that reflect the area's elevated cost of living. The area's major industries include Defense & Military, Biotech & Life Sciences, Tourism.
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 Photonics Engineers
Photonics Engineers Salary in Other Cities
| City | Median | Range | vs San Diego |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $158,000 | $79,000 - $217,000 | +30% |
| San Francisco, CA | $146,000 | $80,000 - $195,000 | +20% |
| Seattle, WA | $141,000 | $78,000 - $189,000 | +16% |
| Boston, MA | $138,000 | $76,000 - $185,000 | +13% |
| Washington DC, DC | $136,000 | $75,000 - $182,000 | +11% |
| New York, NY | $133,000 | $73,000 - $178,000 | +9% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $129,000 | $71,000 - $173,000 | +6% |
| Denver, CO | $125,000 | $69,000 - $167,000 | +2% |
| Portland, OR | $121,000 | $67,000 - $162,000 | -1% |
| Honolulu, HI | $121,000 | $67,000 - $162,000 | -1% |
| Anchorage, AK | $120,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | -2% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $118,000 | $65,000 - $158,000 | -3% |
| Austin, TX | $118,000 | $65,000 - $158,000 | -3% |
| Baltimore, MD | $118,000 | $65,000 - $158,000 | -3% |
| Hartford, CT | $118,000 | $65,000 - $158,000 | -3% |
| Chicago, IL | $116,000 | $64,000 - $155,000 | -5% |
| Dallas, TX | $116,000 | $64,000 - $155,000 | -5% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $115,000 | $63,000 - $154,000 | -6% |
| Raleigh, NC | $114,000 | $63,000 - $152,000 | -7% |
| Sacramento, CA | $114,000 | $63,000 - $152,000 | -7% |
| Atlanta, GA | $112,000 | $62,000 - $150,000 | -8% |
| Houston, TX | $109,000 | $60,000 - $146,000 | -11% |
| Richmond, VA | $109,000 | $60,000 - $146,000 | -11% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $106,000 | $58,000 - $142,000 | -13% |
| Nashville, TN | $106,000 | $58,000 - $142,000 | -13% |
| Charlotte, NC | $106,000 | $58,000 - $142,000 | -13% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $106,000 | $58,000 - $142,000 | -13% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $106,000 | $58,000 - $142,000 | -13% |
| Miami, FL | $105,000 | $58,000 - $140,000 | -14% |
| Detroit, MI | $104,000 | $57,000 - $139,000 | -15% |
| Columbus, OH | $104,000 | $57,000 - $139,000 | -15% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $104,000 | $57,000 - $139,000 | -15% |
| Kansas City, MO | $104,000 | $57,000 - $139,000 | -15% |
| Toronto, ON | $104,000 | $57,000 - $139,000 | -15% |
| Orlando, FL | $103,000 | $57,000 - $138,000 | -16% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $103,000 | $57,000 - $138,000 | -16% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $103,000 | $57,000 - $138,000 | -16% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $103,000 | $57,000 - $138,000 | -16% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $102,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | -16% |
| New Orleans, LA | $102,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | -16% |
| Buffalo, NY | $102,000 | $56,000 - $136,000 | -16% |
| St. Louis, MO | $101,000 | $56,000 - $135,000 | -17% |
| Cleveland, OH | $101,000 | $56,000 - $135,000 | -17% |
| Tampa, FL | $100,000 | $60,000 - $130,000 | -18% |
| San Antonio, TX | $99,000 | $59,000 - $129,000 | -19% |
| Louisville, KY | $99,000 | $59,000 - $129,000 | -19% |
| Calgary, AB | $99,000 | $59,000 - $129,000 | -19% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $98,000 | $59,000 - $127,000 | -20% |
| Tucson, AZ | $98,000 | $59,000 - $127,000 | -20% |
| Vancouver, BC | $98,000 | $59,000 - $127,000 | -20% |
| Birmingham, AL | $96,000 | $58,000 - $125,000 | -21% |
| Memphis, TN | $95,000 | $57,000 - $124,000 | -22% |
| Ottawa, ON | $95,000 | $57,000 - $124,000 | -22% |
| Edmonton, AB | $92,000 | $55,000 - $120,000 | -25% |
| Hamilton, ON | $86,000 | $52,000 - $112,000 | -30% |
| Montreal, QC | $84,000 | $50,000 - $109,000 | -31% |
| Winnipeg, MB | $82,000 | $49,000 - $107,000 | -33% |
| Halifax, NS | $81,000 | $49,000 - $105,000 | -34% |
| Quebec City, QC | $80,000 | $48,000 - $104,000 | -34% |