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Optical Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Optical Test Engineer

Gardena, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

OPTICAL TEST ENGINEER Mesh Optical Technologies was founded on the belief that optical photons will ... In addition to base salary, compensation for this role includes: * Eligibility for long-term ...

Optical Test Engineer

Gardena, CA ยท On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

OPTICAL TEST ENGINEER Mesh Optical Technologies was founded on the belief that optical photons will ... In addition to base salary, compensation for this role includes: * Eligibility for long-term ...

Optical Technician

Rochester, NY ยท On-site

$19 - $24/hr

Sydor Optics, Inc. is a Rochester-based leader in flat-surfaced precision optics with over 60 years ... We reward performance and dedication with a competitive salary, a results-driven incentive program ...

Optical Technician

Rochester, NY ยท On-site

$19 - $24/hr

Sydor Optics, Inc. is a Rochester-based leader in flat-surfaced precision optics with over 60 years ... We reward performance and dedication with a competitive salary, a results-driven incentive program ...

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Optician

Newton, NJ

$70K - $80K/yr

If so, The Optical Center is looking for you! As an Optician at our multiple locations in New ... Salary and Benefits: Minimum Salary: $70,000.00 Maximum Salary: $80,000.00 Benefits: Health ...

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Optical Technician

Tampa, FL ยท On-site

$14.50 - $15.50/hr

Applicable salary ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on ... For more information regarding Optical Outlets benefits, please visit opticaloutlets.com/careers

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Optical Technician

Tampa, FL ยท On-site

$14.50 - $15.50/hr

Applicable salary ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on ... For more information regarding Optical Outlets benefits, please visit opticaloutlets.com/careers

Optical Technician

Tampa, FL

$14.50 - $15.50/hr

Applicable salary ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on ... For more information regarding Optical Outlets benefits, please visit opticaloutlets.com/careers

Optical Characterization Engineer

Dayton, OH ยท On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

Competitive salary and benefits * Opportunity to grow with the company as we scale Join Us If you're excited about building the future of connectivity in space, we'd love to talk. About Ravee Optics:

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Optical Technician

Tampa, FL

$14.50 - $15.50/hr

Applicable salary ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on ... For more information regarding Optical Outlets benefits, please visit opticaloutlets.com/careers

Optical Technician

Tampa, FL ยท On-site

$14.50 - $15.50/hr

Applicable salary ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on ... For more information regarding Optical Outlets benefits, please visit opticaloutlets.com/careers

Optical Technician

Tampa, FL ยท On-site

$14.50 - $15.50/hr

Applicable salary ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on ... For more information regarding Optical Outlets benefits, please visit opticaloutlets.com/careers

Apply Early

Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO ยท On-site

$120K - $145K/yr

Atom Computing is seeking an Optical Engineer to help lead the design of opto-mechanical subsystems ... In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.

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Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO ยท On-site

$120K - $145K/yr

Atom Computing is seeking an Optical Engineer to help lead the design of opto-mechanical subsystems ... In addition to salary, we offer an annual bonus and equity in the company.

Optical Technician

Tampa, FL ยท On-site

$14.50 - $15.50/hr

Applicable salary ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on ... For more information regarding Optical Outlets benefits, please visit opticaloutlets.com/careers

Apply Early

Optical Technician

Tampa, FL

$14.50 - $15.50/hr

Applicable salary ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on ... For more information regarding Optical Outlets benefits, please visit opticaloutlets.com/careers

Optical Engineer

Boston, MA ยท On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Optical Engineer The Hardware Engineering Group at QuEra Computing is seeking strong candidates for ... In addition to our base salary offerings ($130,000-$170,000), we also provide equity grants for all ...

Atom Computing is seeking an Optical Engineer to help lead the design of opto-mechanical subsystems ... The base salary range for this position is between $120,000 - $145,000, commensurate with ...

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Optical Salary information

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How much do optical salary jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical salary in the United States is $21.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $23.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Optician, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Optician, you need strong knowledge of optical science, eye anatomy, and lens technology, typically supported by an associate degree or optician certification. Familiarity with lensometers, pupilometers, and electronic medical record (EMR) systems is commonly required. Excellent customer service, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help opticians build trust and accurately fulfill prescriptions. These skills ensure precise vision correction, customer satisfaction, and compliance with healthcare standards.

What is an optical salary?

An optical salary refers to the average pay or compensation earned by professionals working in the optical industry, such as opticians, optometrists, or optical technicians. Salaries can vary depending on the specific role, level of experience, geographic location, and type of employer. For example, opticians typically earn between $30,000 and $50,000 annually, while optometrists may earn significantly higher salaries. Understanding the optical salary range helps job seekers and employers set expectations and negotiate offers within the field.

Can an optometrist make 300k?

Optometrists typically earn less than $300,000 annually, with median salaries around $115,000 to $125,000. High earners in the field, often with extensive experience, specialization, or ownership of practices, may approach or exceed this figure, but it is uncommon for most optometrists to reach $300,000 without additional factors such as location or business ownership.

Is an optician a good career?

An optician is a healthcare professional who fits and dispenses eyeglasses and contact lenses, often working in optical stores or clinics. The career typically requires certification or licensing, and job prospects are steady due to ongoing demand for vision correction services. It can be a stable and rewarding career for those interested in healthcare and customer service.

What is the highest paid optometry job?

The highest paid optometry jobs are typically in specialized fields such as ocular disease, vision therapy, or surgical co-management, often requiring additional certifications and experience. These roles may be found in private practices, hospitals, or specialized clinics and can offer higher salaries compared to general optometry positions.

What is the difference between Optical Salary vs Optical Technician?

AspectOptical SalaryOptical Technician
Required CredentialsTypically none or minimal, often includes basic optical knowledgeHigh school diploma; certification or training in optical technology often preferred
Work EnvironmentAdministrative, sales, or management settings in optical retail or healthcareLaboratory, retail optical stores, or healthcare facilities
Industry UsageUsed in salary discussions, compensation analysis, and job postingsCommonly used in job titles, roles, and daily work descriptions

Optical Salary refers to compensation figures related to roles in the optical industry, often used in salary surveys and job postings. Optical Technician is a hands-on role involving the fabrication, adjustment, and repair of optical devices. While both are connected to the optical industry, Optical Salary focuses on pay data, whereas Optical Technician describes a specific job function.

What are the typical career advancement opportunities for someone working in an optical sales role?

Professionals in optical sales often begin as sales associates or opticians and can progress to roles such as store manager, optical sales manager, or regional sales supervisor. Advancement is typically based on performance, sales achievements, and additional certifications in optics or management. Many companies also offer training programs that support career growth into areas like optical lab management or business development. Collaboration with optometrists and other healthcare professionals can also open doors to broader roles within the optical or healthcare industry.

Who pays opticians the most?

Opticians tend to earn higher salaries in regions with a higher cost of living and in specialized settings such as private practices or high-end retail stores. Experience, certifications, and advanced skills can also lead to increased pay, with some of the highest salaries found in metropolitan areas and for those with specialized optical knowledge.
More about Optical Salary jobs
What cities are hiring for Optical Salary jobs? Cities with the most Optical Salary job openings:
What states have the most Optical Salary jobs? States with the most job openings for Optical Salary jobs include:
Infographic showing various Optical Salary job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $44,592 per year, or $21.4 per hour.
Optical Validation Engineer, Tech Lead

Optical Validation Engineer, Tech Lead

Astera Labs

San Jose, CA โ€ข Hybrid

$175K - $215K/yr

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

We are seeking an experienced Optical (EIC/PIC) Validation Engineer at the Tech Lead level to lead the validation, characterization, and qualification of advanced photonic integrated circuits (PICs) closely integrated with electronic integrated circuits (EICs) multiple optical configurations.

This high-impact role focuses on ensuring the performance, reliability, and manufacturability of next-generation optical engines for high-speed data center, AI/ML, and telecom applications. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in electro-optical testing, system-level validation, and multiple optical integration challenges.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead end-to-end validation and characterization of Optical Engines integrating EIC and PIC in multiple Silicon Photonic architectures.
  • Develop comprehensive test plans, methodologies, and automation frameworks for optical, electrical, and electro-optical performance metrics (e.g., BER, eye diagrams, insertion loss, extinction ratio, receiver sensitivity, transmitter power).
  • Perform detailed characterization of key building blocks: modulators, photodetectors, lasers, waveguides, couplers, and high-speed EIC/PIC interfaces.
  • Validate co-packaged optics performance including high-speed electrical interfaces (SerDes, UCIe), thermal management, signal integrity, power integrity, and optical coupling efficiency.
  • Design and implement test setups for wafer-level, package-level, and system-level testing, including active alignment, thermal cycling, reliability stress, and environmental qualification.
  • Collaborate closely with PIC Design, EIC Design, Packaging, Test Engineering, and Manufacturing teams to close design-for-test (DfT) and design-for-manufacturability (DfM) gaps.
  • Analyze large datasets from validation runs, perform failure analysis, root cause investigation, and drive corrective actions.
  • Support bring-up and debug of silicon photonics prototypes and optical modules.
  • Define and execute qualification plans per industry standards (Telcordia, GR-468, JEDEC, etc.).
  • Mentor junior engineers and contribute to intellectual property through patents and technical publications.

Qualifications & Requirements

  • Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, or related field.
  • 8+ years (Senior) of hands-on experience in silicon photonics or optical transceiver validation.
  • Strong experience with EIC/PIC co-design validation, multiple Optical Configurations.
  • Expertise in high-speed optical and electrical testing: BER testers, sampling oscilloscopes, VNAs, spectrum analyzers, tunable lasers, optical power meters, and automated test equipment.
  • Proficiency with photonic test automation (Python, LabVIEW, or equivalent) and data analysis tools (JMP, MATLAB, Python/Pandas).
  • Deep understanding of optical coupling, thermal effects in 2.5D/3D packaging, and high-speed signal integrity challenges in CPO systems.
  • Familiarity with industry standards for reliability and qualification of photonic components.
  • Excellent problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Direct experience validating production-grade silicon photonics modules for hyperscale data centers or AI clusters.
  • Knowledge of advanced packaging technologies (2.5D, 3D stacking, hybrid bonding, interposers).
  • Experience with high-speed SerDes (112G/224G PAM4) and optical I/O chiplets.
  • Track record of shipping high-volume optical products.
  • Publications or patents in silicon photonics or co-packaged optics.

Salary range is $175,000 to $215,000 depending on experience, level, and business need. This role may be eligible for discretionary bonus, incentives and benefits.