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The differences between optical design engineers and telecommunication engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an optical design engineer and a telecommunication engineer. Additionally, an optical design engineer has an average salary of $94,750, which is higher than the $80,789 average annual salary of a telecommunication engineer.
The top three skills for an optical design engineer include optical design, MATLAB and zemax. The most important skills for a telecommunication engineer are telecommunication, voip, and RF.
| Optical Design Engineer | Telecommunication Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $94,750 | $80,789 |
| Hourly rate | $45.55 | $38.84 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 49,731 | 28,331 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An optical design engineer is an optics specialists who uses their scientific skills to design solutions and solve optical problems. Optical design engineers are essential in the field of laser technology, telescopes, optical lenses, and fiber optics. You will be responsible for designing and building devices that enable better utilization of optics technology and requires in-depth scientific optical knowledge as well as high technical design abilities. Optical design engineers are problem solvers in the field of optics.
A telecommunication engineer is responsible for installing, testing, and repairing telecommunication systems including mobile telephone networks and fiber optic and digital satellite systems. Your day-to-day duties include diagnosing and troubleshooting systems faults, installing static and mobile antennae on masts and buildings, and designing, developing, and testing telecommunications equipment and components. As a telecommunication engineer, you are also required to provide guidance and support to telecommunication installers to ensure quality. You are also responsible for providing recommendations to upgrade outdated equipment.
Optical design engineers and telecommunication engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optical Design Engineer | Telecommunication Engineer | |
| Average salary | $94,750 | $80,789 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $125,000 | Between $59,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | Menlo Park, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between an optical design engineer and a telecommunication engineer in terms of educational background:
| Optical Design Engineer | Telecommunication Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between optical design engineers' and telecommunication engineers' demographics:
| Optical Design Engineer | Telecommunication Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.5% Female, 19.5% | Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 17.2% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |