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Photonics Engineers Salary in Charleston, SC

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Photonics Engineers in Charleston, SC have a median annual salary of $124,250, with 420 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $79,310 at the 10th percentile to $188,120 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$124,250

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$59.74

Employment

420

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$79,310
10th
$103,000
25th
$124,250
Median
$151,090
75th
$188,120
90th

Local compared with national

Charleston, SC

$124,250

Median annual · 2025

United States

$122,930

Median annual · 2025

The Charleston, SC median is 1.1% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $1,320).

Top skills

  1. 1.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.0
  2. 2.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.9
  3. 3.WritingImportance 3.9
  4. 4.Active ListeningImportance 3.8
  5. 5.SpeakingImportance 3.6
  6. 6.MathematicsImportance 3.6
  7. 7.Active LearningImportance 3.6
  8. 8.ScienceImportance 3.5
  9. 9.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.4
  10. 10.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.4
  11. 11.Operations AnalysisImportance 3.3
  12. 12.Technology DesignImportance 3.3

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • Adept Scientific GRAMS
  • Apollo Photonics APSS
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • BPM_CAD
  • C
  • C#
  • C++
  • Computer-aided drafting or design software
  • Dassault Systemes CATIA
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
  • Debugging software
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • ESRI software
  • Facebook
  • Finite element analysis FEA software

Common 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.
  • Determine applications of photonics appropriate to meet product objectives or features.
  • Conduct research on new photonics technologies.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Photonics Engineers salary in other locations

Other occupations in Charleston, SC