Optical Design Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Optical Design Engineer make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for an Optical Design Engineer in the United States is $98,978 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $112,137
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $87,111 to $105,866
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $76,307
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View as table View as graph 25% $87,111 10% $76,307 90% $112,137 75% $105,866 $98,978 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Optical Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $105,866 $8,822 $2,036 $51
Average $98,978 $8,248 $1,903 $48
25th Percentile $87,111 $7,259 $1,675 $42
Check out Optical Design Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Design Engineer

Pentangle Tech Services | P5 Group - Raymond, OH

Design Engineer

Braun Ambulances - Van Wert, OH

Senior Design Engineer

Capstone Search Advisors - Olmsted Falls, OH

Interior Design Engineer

Pentangle Tech Services | P5 Group - Raymond, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Optical Design Engineer Salaries

An Optical Design 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 Optical Design Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Optical Design 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): $94,374
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $94,747
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $95,306
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $99,181
  • Expert (over 8 years): $101,814
Levels Salary
Entry Level Optical Design Engineer$94,374
Intermediate Level Optical Design Engineer$94,747
Senior Level Optical Design Engineer$95,306
Specialist Level Optical Design Engineer$99,181
Expert Level Optical Design Engineer$101,814
$94,374 0 yr
$94,747 < 2 yrs
$95,306 2-4 yrs
$99,181 5-8 yrs
$101,814 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Optical Design 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 Optical Design Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $109,589.
  • California: $109,173.
  • Massachusetts: $107,718.

Top Paying Cities for Optical Design 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: $124,841
  • San Francisco: $123,474
  • Oakland: $120,872

What Skills Can Increase an Optical Design Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 14.62% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Billing (Mentioned in 3.72% Job Postings): Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
  • Dental Care (Mentioned in 1.58% Job Postings): Dental or oral health is concerned with your teeth, gums and mouth. The goal is to prevent complications such as tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease and to maintain the overall health of your mouth.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 14.62%
Billing 3.72%
Dental Care 1.58%
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 an Optical Design Engineer's salary.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Decision Making
$104,917
6%
Leadership
$104,917
6%
Commitment
$104,917
6%
Coordination
$103,927
5%
Accountability
$103,927
5%
Dedication
$102,937
4%
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How Education impacts an Optical Design Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Optical Design 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 Optical Design Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $94,480 and $100,354).

Optical Design Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Optical Design Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 41.1%
High School 41.1%
Associates 14.3%
Bachelors 28.6%
Masters 16.1%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Optical Design Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Optical Design 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 May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Optical Design Engineer

Salaries for an Optical Design Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $199,799 in 2023 to around $193,006 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Optical Design Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Optical Design Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$199,799
2024
$197,863
2025
$193,006
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $199,799
2024 $197,863
2025 $193,006
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Optical Design Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Optical Design Engineer

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

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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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