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The differences between optical engineers and radio frequency 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 $88,301 average annual salary of a radio frequency engineer.
The top three skills for an optical engineer include zemax, data analysis and optical components. The most important skills for a radio frequency engineer are test equipment, antenna, and system performance.
| Optical Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,814 | $88,301 |
| Hourly rate | $47.99 | $42.45 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 26,628 | 35,158 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| 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.
A radio frequency engineer, also known as RF engineer, specializes in designing and developing communication systems using radio waves. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around creating networks and systems and testing equipment. They make sure that equipment is up to high standards by traveling to different areas as needed, troubleshooting issues to identify the root of problems and performing corrective measures required. Furthermore, a radio frequency engineer must continuously optimize equipment quality and ensure efficiency while adhering to the laws and regulations.
Optical engineers and radio frequency engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optical Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average salary | $99,814 | $88,301 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $140,000 | Between $67,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Cupertino, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Technology |
There are a few differences between an optical engineer and a radio frequency engineer in terms of educational background:
| Optical Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Physics | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between optical engineers' and radio frequency engineers' demographics:
| Optical Engineer | Radio Frequency Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% |
| 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, 4.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 20.7% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |