Laser Systems Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Laser Systems Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Laser Systems Engineer in the United States is $80,960 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

However, a Laser Systems Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $97,790
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $74,020 to $89,769
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $67,702

Key Factors That Influence Laser Systems Engineer Salaries

A Laser Systems 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.

How Experience Level Affects Laser Systems Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Laser Systems 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $80,312
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $98,615
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $114,394
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $140,031
  • Expert (over 8 years): $160,434
Levels Salary
Laser Sys... Level Laser Systems Engineer$80,312
Software ... Level Laser Systems Engineer$98,615
Software ... Level Laser Systems Engineer$114,394
Software ... Level Laser Systems Engineer$140,031
Software ... Level Laser Systems Engineer$160,434

How Do Laser Systems Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Laser Systems Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $89,638.
  • California: $89,298.
  • Massachusetts: $88,108.

Top Paying Cities for Laser Systems Engineers

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: $102,114
  • San Francisco: $100,996
  • Oakland: $98,868

What Skills Can Increase a Laser Systems Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.02% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Azure (Mentioned in 2.71% Job Postings): Microsoft Azure, often referred to as Azure, is a cloud computing service operated by Microsoft for application management via Microsoft-managed data centers.
  • Cisco (Mentioned in 1.62% Job Postings): Cisco Systems, Inc., commonly known as Cisco, is an American-based multinational technology conglomerate corporation headquartered in San Jose, California.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.02%
Azure 2.71%
Cisco 1.62%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Laser Systems Engineer's salary.

  • IT Infrastructure: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
IT Infrastructure $89,056
10%
Python $89,056
10%
AWS $89,056
10%

Laser Systems Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Laser Systems Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Laser Systems Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Laser Systems Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Laser Systems Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$101,200$49.025%
Biotechnology$97,152$47.020%
Pharmaceuticals$97,152$47.020%
Internet$93,104$45.015%
Energy & Utilities$89,056$43.010%

How Education impacts a Laser Systems Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Laser Systems Engineers enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Laser Systems Engineer with a No Diploma is between $68,885 and $75,174).

Laser Systems Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Laser Systems Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.3%
High School 14.3%
Associates 10.4%
Bachelors 61.0%
Masters 13.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Laser Systems Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Laser Systems 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 September 01, 2026
$74,020
Average $80,960/year
$89,769
$6,168
Average $6,747/month
$7,481
$1,423
Average $1,557/week
$1,726
$36
Average $39/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $89,769 $7,481 $1,726 $43
Average $80,960 $6,747 $1,557 $39
25th Percentile $74,020 $6,168 $1,423 $36

Most common benefits for Laser Systems Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Laser Systems Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Laser Systems Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Laser Systems Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Laser Systems Engineer?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Laser Systems Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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