SOC 17-2199.07

    Photonics Engineers

    Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.

    Median pay
    $122,930
    Growth
    +3.7%
    As fast as average
    Openings a year
    8,800
    Typical education
    Bachelor's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections · figures for the broader BLS group "Engineers, all other"

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $66,810
    Median
    $122,930
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $189,950
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    154,070 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Photonics engineers design technologies that use light energy or light information, such as lasers and fiber optics. The median annual pay for this field is $122,930, based on a broad engineering category.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What photonics engineers do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.

    Most need a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.

    What the work is like

    Photonics engineers focus on technologies involving light, including laser systems and fiber optics. These professionals spend their days working with computers to draft, lay out, and specify technical devices, parts, and equipment. They gather and process information, analyze data, and solve complex problems to design new systems. Creative thinking and decision-making are essential as they develop new optical technologies.

    This role requires a strong background in engineering, technology, physics, and mathematics. Engineers must also understand computers, electronics, design, and telecommunications. Success in this field relies on critical thinking, active learning, and science skills.

    These engineers typically have strong realistic interests, meaning they enjoy practical, hands-on work. They must demonstrate attention to detail, innovation, and intellectual curiosity. Because the work involves precise measurements and complex systems, dependability, cautiousness, and perseverance are also key work styles for these professionals.

    How to get there

    To enter this career, most individuals need a bachelor's degree along with several years of related work experience. Students preparing for this field typically major in general engineering, engineering physics, or electrical, electronics, and communications engineering. Other relevant majors include chemical engineering, civil engineering, and general engineering-related fields.

    While not always mandatory, professional certifications can help candidates demonstrate their expertise. Available certifications include the Certified Fiber Optic Technician from The Fiber Optic Association Inc., as well as the Fiber Optics Designer and the Technician in Precision Optics, both offered by ETA International.

    Depending on where you plan to work, you may need to look into state regulations. Some states list a license for this specific type of engineering work.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for photonics engineers is $122,930. This wage represents the broader Bureau of Labor Statistics group of "Engineers, all other." Within this category, the lowest 10 percent of earners make less than $66,810, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $189,950.

    There are 154,070 people employed in this broader engineering group. Between the years 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 3.7 percent, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in 8,800 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    82 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    81 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    30 / 100
    Social (S)
    6 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    12 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    49 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code RIC. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Working with Computers
    89
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    87
    Analyzing Data or Information
    84
    Getting Information
    84
    Processing Information
    79
    Thinking Creatively
    79
    Documenting/Recording Information
    76
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    76
    Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
    71
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    71
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Critical Thinking
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Writing
    • Active Listening
    • Active Learning
    • Mathematics
    • Speaking
    • Science
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Judgment and Decision Making

    Knowledge

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Design
    • English Language
    • Mechanical
    • Telecommunications
    • Chemistry
    • Production and Processing

    Abilities

    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Information Ordering
    • Written Comprehension
    • Mathematical Reasoning
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Written Expression
    • Fluency of Ideas
    • Oral Expression
    • Originality

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Innovation
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Dependability
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Cautiousness
    • Adaptability
    • Integrity
    • Tolerance for Ambiguity
    • Perseverance

    Also called

    Algorithm Developer · Display Engineer · DWDM Optical Network Engineer (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing Optical Network Engineer) · Electro-optical Engineer · Electro-optics Engineer · Engineer · Fiber Optics Engineer · Laser Engineer · Laser Systems Engineer · Optical Design Engineer

    Career pathway

    From your interests to photonics engineers

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Photonics Engineers$122,930 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Carnegie Mellon University logo
      Carnegie Mellon University

      Pittsburgh, PA · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $150,074
      4 yrs after
      $250,168
      Median debt
      $19,500
    2. 2University of California-Berkeley CAL logo
      University of California-Berkeley CAL

      Berkeley, CA · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $154,713
      4 yrs after
      $200,543
      Median debt
      $13,548
    3. 3Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT logo
      Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT

      Cambridge, MA · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $150,863
      4 yrs after
      $161,118
      Median debt
      $15,000
    4. 4Cornell University-New York logo
      Cornell University-New York

      Ithaca, NY · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $110,607
      4 yrs after
      $147,241
      Median debt
      $12,750
    5. 5The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus logo
      The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus

      Austin, TX · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $111,942
      4 yrs after
      $146,003
      Median debt
      $18,118
    6. 6University of Virginia-Main Campus UVA logo
      University of Virginia-Main Campus UVA

      Charlottesville, VA · Systems Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $96,168
      4 yrs after
      $144,830
      Median debt
      $12,000
    7. 7Columbia University in the City of New York logo
      Columbia University in the City of New York

      New York, NY · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $143,332
      Median debt
      Not reported
    8. 8
      Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

      New York, NY · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $139,068
      Median debt
      Not reported

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What photonics engineers may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work. Showing 12 of 32.

    • Applied Engineering
    • Architectural Engineering
    • Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering
    • Biochemical Engineering
    • Biological/Biosystems Engineering
    • Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
    • Construction Engineering
    • Electrical and Computer Engineering
    • Electromechanical Engineering
    • Energy Systems Engineering, General
    • Energy Systems Engineering, Other
    • Engineering Chemistry

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    49 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about photonics engineers

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for photonics engineers?

    People in this occupation are also called electro-optical engineers, fiber optics engineers, laser systems engineers, and optical design engineers. Other titles include algorithm developer, display engineer, and laser engineer.

    What are some careers related to photonics engineering?

    Related careers include photonics technicians, microsystems engineers, computer hardware engineers, and mechatronics engineers. Electronics engineers and electrical engineering technologists are also in similar fields.

    What subjects should I study to prepare for this career?

    You should focus on engineering, physics, mathematics, and chemistry. Knowledge of computers, electronics, telecommunications, and mechanical design is also highly beneficial for this work.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.