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The differences between optical engineers and electrical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an optical engineer has an average salary of $99,814, which is higher than the $81,026 average annual salary of an electrical engineer.
The top three skills for an optical engineer include zemax, data analysis and optical components. The most important skills for an electrical engineer are autocad, electrical systems, and UL.
| Optical Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,814 | $81,026 |
| Hourly rate | $47.99 | $38.95 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 26,628 | 68,536 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
An Optical Engineer designs optical devices to be used in eyewear, telescopes, cameras, and lasers. They ensure that optical and electronic components meet all given specifications.
Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and developing new electrical systems, solving issues, and testing equipment. They work on various technologies, including telecommunication systems, satellite communications, and electrical power stations. Electrical engineers study and apply the mathematics and physics of electromagnetism, electronics, and electricity to small and large-scale electrical systems to transmit energy and process information. They often work with all types of electronic devices, such as supercomputers and power transmission. They also work in the emerging field of microelectronics.
Optical engineers and electrical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optical Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $99,814 | $81,026 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $140,000 | Between $59,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Redmond, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Technology |
There are a few differences between an optical engineer and an electrical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Optical Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Physics | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between optical engineers' and electrical engineers' demographics:
| Optical Engineer | Electrical Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.6% Asian, 27.1% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 16.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |