Photonics Engineers in California
Considering working as a Photonics Engineers in California? Here’s what the data says. All engineers not listed separately. Excludes “Sales Engineers” (41-9031), “Locomotive Engineers” (53-4011), and “Ship Engineers” (53-5031).
What do Photonics Engineers Make in California?
For photonics engineers working in California, the median annual wage is $128,830 per year (or about $61.94/hour).Earnings range from $72,840 at the 10th percentile to $212,930 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $72,840 | $35.02 |
| 25th percentile | $99,730 | $47.95 |
| Median (50th) | $128,830 | $61.94 |
| 75th percentile | $167,940 | $80.74 |
| 90th percentile | $212,930 | $102.37 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California compared to the national average — is 1.50, indicating that photonics engineers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, photonics engineers earn a median of $84,667 per year ($40.71/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 40,916 photonics engineers nationwide. In California alone, about 26,500 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,430 photonics engineers.
Top California Metros for Photonics Engineers
These are the California metros with the most photonics engineers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 7,910 | $122,000 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 5,060 | $156,140 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 3,490 | $157,770 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 3,240 | $130,550 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,420 | $99,860 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,150 | $106,220 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 620 | $142,400 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 600 | $123,730 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 390 | $127,770 |
| Fresno, CA | 250 | $114,260 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 170 | $116,260 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 160 | $129,480 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 150 | $114,170 |
| Vallejo, CA | 150 | $122,780 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 130 | $119,810 |
| Salinas, CA | 90 | $122,540 |
| Modesto, CA | 70 | $108,230 |
| Chico, CA | 60 | $113,550 |
| Redding, CA | 50 | $104,190 |
| Visalia, CA | 50 | $100,940 |
| Merced, CA | 40 | $88,020 |
| Napa, CA | 30 | $94,750 |
| Yuba City, CA | 30 | $115,690 |
Top States for Photonics Engineers Employment
These states have the highest employment of photonics engineers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 26,500 |
| Texas | 9,900 |
| Florida | 9,120 |
| Louisiana | 7,630 |
| Maryland | 6,670 |
| Michigan | 6,630 |
| Virginia | 5,980 |
| Ohio | 5,970 |
| New York | 5,020 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,710 |
| Tennessee | 4,610 |
| North Carolina | 4,230 |
| Georgia | 3,970 |
| New Jersey | 3,910 |
| Alabama | 3,370 |
| Washington | 3,150 |
| Illinois | 3,010 |
| Massachusetts | 2,930 |
| Arizona | 2,660 |
| District of Columbia | 2,640 |
Highest-Paying States for Photonics Engineers
These states pay the most for photonics engineers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $167,270 |
| Alabama | $146,480 |
| New Mexico | $142,520 |
| Virginia | $142,110 |
| Wyoming | $139,010 |
| Maryland | $135,990 |
| Alaska | $132,410 |
| Massachusetts | $132,020 |
| New Jersey | $131,960 |
| Rhode Island | $131,830 |
Skills
The most important photonics engineers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for photonics engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Photonics Engineers typically:
- 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.
- Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects.
- 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.
- Design electro-optical sensing or imaging systems.
- Document photonics system or component design processes, including objectives, issues, or outcomes.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Getting Information
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Thinking Creatively
- Processing Information
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, C, C#, C++ In-demand technologies: C++
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- General Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Other Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Robotics Engineering
- Construction Engineering
- Engineering Science
- Architectural Engineering
- Engineering Physics
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Biological Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Geoscience Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Ocean Engineering
- Engineering Mechanics
- Energy Systems Engineering
- Biochemical Engineering
- Surveying Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electromechanical Engineering
- Forest Engineering
- Paper Science & Engineering
- Engineering Chemistry
- Engineering-Related Fields
- Nanotechnology
- Rehabilitation Professions
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Related Careers
Related occupations to photonics engineers include:
- Computer Hardware Engineers
- Electrical Engineers
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
- Mechanical Engineers
- Automotive Engineers
Also Known As
Algorithm Developer, DWDM Optical Network Engineer (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing Optical Network Engineer), Display Engineer, Electro-optical Engineer, Electro-optics Engineer, Engineer, Fiber Optics Engineer, Laser Engineer, Laser Systems Engineer, Optical Design Engineer, Optical Engineer, Optical Manufacturing Engineer, Optical Network Engineer, Optical Specialist, Optical Systems Engineer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 17-2199.07
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