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Photonics Engineers Salary in VA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Photonics Engineers in VA have a median annual salary of $148,160, with 5,060 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $84,590 at the 10th percentile to $195,190 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

$148,160

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$71.23

Employment

5,060

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$84,590
10th
$116,920
25th
$148,160
Median
$181,660
75th
$195,190
90th

Local compared with national

VA

$148,160

Median annual · 2025

United States

$122,930

Median annual · 2025

The VA median is 20.5% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $25,230).

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 VA