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Optical Engineer III Salary in Carson, CA

How much does an Optical Engineer III make in Carson, CA?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for an Optical Engineer III in Carson, CA is $153,138 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $74.

However, an Optical Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $168,682
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $143,709 to $161,274
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $135,124
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View as table View as graph 25% $143,709 10% $135,124 90% $168,682 75% $161,274 $153,138 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Optical Engineer III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $161,274 $13,440 $3,101 $78
Average $153,138 $12,762 $2,945 $74
25th Percentile $143,709 $11,976 $2,764 $69
Check out Optical Engineer III Job Openings in Carson, CA
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Key Factors That Influence Optical Engineer III Salaries

An Optical Engineer III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Optical Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Optical Engineer III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Optical Engineer I (2-4 years): $103,018
  • Optical Engineer II (4-7 years): $131,585
  • Optical Engineer III (7+ years): $153,138
  • Optical Engineer IV (7-10 years): $199,885
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Optical Engineer I2-4 years$103,018
Optical Engineer II4-7 years$131,585
Optical Engineer III7+ years$153,138
Optical Engineer IV7-10 years$199,885
$103,018 Optical E...
$131,585 Optical E...
$153,138 Optical E...
$199,885 Optical E...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Optical Engineer IIIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $176,557
  • San Francisco: $174,821
  • Oakland: $170,944

Optical Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Optical Engineer III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on March 01, 2026
$143,709
Average $153,138/year
$161,274
$11,976
Average $12,762/month
$13,440
$2,764
Average $2,945/week
$3,101
$69
Average $74/hour
$78
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $161,274 $13,440 $3,101 $78
Average $153,138 $12,762 $2,945 $74
25th Percentile $143,709 $11,976 $2,764 $69

Optical Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Optical Engineer III
Optical Engineer IV

For an Optical Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Optical Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $199,885 - a projected growth of 31% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Optical Engineer III

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Cost of Living In Carson, CA

Cost of Living in Carson, CA is
36.7% Higher
than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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