Photonics Engineers: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, Overview

Photonics Engineers

Photonics Engineers design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.

Salary
$107060
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job description

Photonics Engineers design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.

  • 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.
Read more about what does a Photonics Engineer really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$99410 per year

Average hourly wage
$48 per hour


Photonics Engineers with little to no experience tend to make between $50750 and $69890 while the more experienced ones can earn over $126200 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
DC $64 $132,530
MD $57 $118,420
VA $57 $118,390
AL $56 $115,710
NJ $55 $114,990

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Photonics Engineer is to move to a higher paying state like DC. Right now, the highest paying states for Photonics Engineers are DC, MD, VA, AL and NJ.

However, a higher pay at DC doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at DC might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Photonics Engineer is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
Bachelor’s degree

We asked other Photonics Engineers what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Bachelor’s Degree followed by a Master’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Engineering, General
Architectural Engineering
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Laser and Optical Engineering
Read more about how to become a Photonics Engineer and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Photonics Engineer.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes to solve problems mentally
Suitable for people who values achievements and are results-oriented
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers)
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to help and teach others
It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week)

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
70%

Is this job meaningful
60%


70% of Photonics Engineers said they were satisfied with their job and 60% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Thinkers and The Builders

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.



Learn more about Photonics Engineers

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Photonics Engineers job description, Photonics Engineers salary, Photonics Engineers information, what is the job of a Photonics Engineer like, pros and cons about Photonics Engineers, colleges and universities for Photonics Engineers, is Photonics Engineers the right career for me, careers in Architecture and Engineering

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