Photonics Engineers in Pennsylvania
Want to work as a Photonics Engineers in Pennsylvania? Below are the key facts. 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 Pennsylvania?
For photonics engineers working in Pennsylvania, wages run about $103,580 per year (or about $49.80/hour).Pay can range from $57,050 at the 10th percentile to $164,100 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $57,050 | $27.43 |
| 25th percentile | $79,060 | $38.01 |
| Median (50th) | $103,580 | $49.80 |
| 75th percentile | $134,450 | $64.64 |
| 90th percentile | $164,100 | $78.89 |
The job concentration index in Pennsylvania compared to the national average — is 0.80, indicating fewer photonics engineers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, photonics engineers earn a median of $84,667 per year ($40.71/hour), above the Pennsylvania median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 40,916 photonics engineers in the U.S.. In Pennsylvania alone, approximately 4,710 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 1,430 photonics engineers.
Top Pennsylvania Metros for Photonics Engineers
The largest metro-area employers of photonics engineers in Pennsylvania.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 2,010 | $104,420 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,040 | $98,480 |
| State College, PA | 790 | $87,100 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 210 | $125,220 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 160 | $99,200 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 110 | $102,190 |
| Lancaster, PA | 100 | $96,580 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | 70 | $87,240 |
| Reading, PA | 70 | $86,070 |
| Erie, PA | 60 | $82,670 |
| Chambersburg, PA | 40 | $85,550 |
Top States for Photonics Engineers Employment
View the states that employ the most 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
The highest-paying states 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
Key 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
Key abilities for photonics engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, 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?
Related college programs include:
- 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
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like 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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