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The differences between optical engineers and 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 $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for an optical engineer include zemax, data analysis and optical components. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Optical Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,814 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $47.99 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 26,628 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
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.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Optical engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optical Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $99,814 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $140,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Meta | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an optical engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Optical Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Physics | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between optical engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Optical Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| 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, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |