As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Staff Optical Engineer in the United States is $140,773 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:
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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.
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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Nuclear E... Level Staff Optical Engineer | $82,620 |
| Nuclear E... Level Staff Optical Engineer | $96,574 |
| Nuclear E... Level Staff Optical Engineer | $117,127 |
| Staff Opt... Level Staff Optical Engineer | $141,487 |
| Nuclear E... Level Staff Optical Engineer | $163,404 |
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 Staff Optical Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 5.2% |
| AutoCAD | 1.76% |
| Programming | 1.31% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Preventative Maintenance
|
$240,722 |
71%
|
|
Presentation
|
$175,966 |
25%
|
|
Agile
|
$170,335 |
21%
|
|
SQL
|
$170,335 |
21%
|
|
Oracle
|
$170,335 |
21%
|
|
Computer Science
|
$161,889 |
15%
|
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
| 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% |
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 March 01, 2026Salaries for a Staff Optical Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $137,909 in 2023 to around $135,080 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Staff Optical Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $137,909 |
| 2024 | $136,327 |
| 2025 | $135,080 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Staff 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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