Photonics Engineers — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$122,930
United States, 2025
Employment
154,070
United States, 2025
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Job Zone 4
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.
- O*NET code
- 17-2199.07
- Job zone
- 4
- Experience required
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Typical tasks
- Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects.
- Analyze system performance or operational requirements.
- Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems.
- Develop or test photonic prototypes or models.
- Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components.
- Assist in the transition of photonic prototypes to production.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.
- Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$66,810
25th percentile
$90,970
75th percentile
$158,090
90th percentile
$189,950
Most important skills
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Writing3.9
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Active Listening3.8
- Speaking3.6
- Active Learning3.6
- Mathematics3.6
- Science3.5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4
- Complex Problem Solving3.4
- Operations Analysis3.3
- Technology Design3.3
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 19 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
19
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 | 5.0 | Not selected | 5.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | 4.8 | Not selected | 4.8 |
| Writing | 3.9 | 4.8 | Not selected | 4.8 |
| Active Learning | 3.6 | 5.0 | Not selected | 5.0 |
| Mathematics | 3.6 | 4.9 | Not selected | 4.9 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Speaking | 3.6 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Science | 3.5 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.3 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Technology Design | 3.3 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 | 3.8 | Not selected | 3.8 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Instructing | 3.0 | 3.5 | Not selected | 3.5 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.0 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Photonics EngineersHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $169,650 | 4,970 | 2025 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $166,230 | 1,020 | 2025 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $163,630 | 1,110 | 2025 |
| NM | $162,070 | 2,190 | 2025 |
| San Francisco, CA | $159,800 | 4,850 | 2025 |
| Huntsville, AL | $155,630 | 3,110 | 2025 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $153,340 | 50 | 2025 |
| AL | $152,550 | 3,460 | 2025 |
| DC | $151,920 | 3,560 | 2025 |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $151,760 | 230 | 2025 |
| Washington, DC | $151,340 | 9,230 | 2025 |
| VA | $148,160 | 5,060 | 2025 |
| Anchorage, AK | $145,500 | 90 | 2025 |
| Kennewick, WA | $142,920 | 280 | 2025 |
| AK | $142,390 | 200 | 2025 |
| Bremerton, WA | $142,130 | 440 | 2025 |
| Dayton, OH | $142,080 | 1,650 | 2025 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $141,150 | 150 | 2025 |
| Greenville, NC | $140,970 | 40 | 2025 |
| Bellingham, WA | $140,220 | — | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Photonics Engineers to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.