As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Optical Engineer in the United States is $89,933 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.
However, an Assistant Optical Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Assistant Optical Engineer'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant Optical Engineer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Assistant Optical Engineer | $87,505 |
| Intermediate Level Assistant Optical Engineer | $87,688 |
| Senior Level Assistant Optical Engineer | $89,933 |
| Specialist Level Assistant Optical Engineer | $92,282 |
| Expert Level Assistant Optical Engineer | $92,450 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Assistant Optical Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 5.97% |
| Linux | 2.02% |
| Agile | 1.67% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
JavaScript
|
$99,826 |
11%
|
|
Java
|
$98,027 |
9%
|
|
AWS
|
$97,128 |
8%
|
|
Test Automation
|
$96,228 |
7%
|
|
Oracle
|
$96,228 |
7%
|
|
Agile
|
$96,228 |
7%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Assistant Optical Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Assistant Optical Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $86,378 and $90,322).
Assistant Optical Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.4% |
| High School | 3.5% |
| Associates | 3.5% |
| Bachelors | 46.9% |
| Masters | 38.9% |
| Doctorate | 6.8% |
Understanding how an Assistant Optical Engineer'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.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026Salaries for an Assistant Optical Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $96,408 in 2023 to around $95,567 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Assistant Optical Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $96,408 |
| 2024 | $96,313 |
| 2025 | $95,567 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Assistant Optical Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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