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Staff Optical Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Staff Optical Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Staff Optical Engineer in the United States is $140,789 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $155,647
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $130,496 to $148,566
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $121,125
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Staff Optical Engineer Salaries

A Staff 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.

How Experience Level Affects Staff Optical Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Staff 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $82,614
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $96,574
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $117,129
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $141,504
  • Expert (over 8 years): $163,375
Levels Salary
Nuclear E... Level Staff Optical Engineer$82,614
Nuclear E... Level Staff Optical Engineer$96,574
Nuclear E... Level Staff Optical Engineer$117,129
Staff Opt... Level Staff Optical Engineer$141,504
Nuclear E... Level Staff Optical Engineer$163,375
View as Graph

How Do Staff Optical 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 Staff Optical Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $155,882.
  • California: $155,290.
  • Massachusetts: $153,221.

Top Paying Cities for Staff Optical 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: $177,577
  • San Francisco: $175,633
  • Oakland: $171,932

What Skills Can Increase a Staff Optical Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.2% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 1.76% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 1.31% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.2%
AutoCAD 1.76%
Programming 1.31%
See More Skills

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 Staff Optical Engineer's salary.

  • Preventative Maintenance: Can increase your salary by up to 71%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 25%.
  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Preventative Maintenance $240,749
71%
Presentation $175,986
25%
Agile $170,355
21%
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Staff Optical Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Staff Optical Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Staff Optical Engineer positions in Transportation or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Staff Optical Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Staff Optical Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$197,105$95.040%
Energy & Utilities$183,026$88.030%
Aerospace & Defense$168,947$81.020%
Business Services$154,868$74.010%

How Education impacts a Staff Optical Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Staff 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 a Staff Optical Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $147,357 and $155,836).

Staff Optical Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Staff Optical Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 29.0%
High School 41.9%
Associates 29.0%
Bachelors 29.0%
Masters 41.9%
Doctorate 29.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Staff 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 September 01, 2026
$130,496
Average $140,789/year
$148,566
$10,875
Average $11,732/month
$12,381
$2,510
Average $2,707/week
$2,857
$63
Average $68/hour
$71
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $148,566 $12,381 $2,857 $71
Average $140,789 $11,732 $2,707 $68
25th Percentile $130,496 $10,875 $2,510 $63

Most common benefits for Staff Optical Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Staff Optical Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Staff Optical Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Staff Optical Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Staff Optical Engineer?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Staff Optical Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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