by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Optical Enginering explores Laser And Optical Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Optical Systems, Lasers And Related Electronic Devices. Includes Instruction In Wave Theory And Mechanics, Electromagnetic Applications, Linear And Non-Linear Optics, Photon Detecting, Laser Beam Properties, Directed Energy, Harmonic Generation, Optical Systems, Shielding And The Design And Implementation Of Related Systems And Equipment. Examples: [Electro-Optic Engineering], [Optical Engineering]. Read on to learn the essential details every optical enginering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering optical enginering programs.
Nationwide, optical enginering is a popular field of study, with 157 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Optical Enginering Schools ranking analyzes these 6 schools to determine the best overall colleges for optical enginering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of optical enginering programs later in this article.
Coursework for Optical Enginering emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations optical enginering graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a optical enginering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a optical enginering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several optical enginering degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 88 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 50 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 19 |
People currently working in careers related to optical enginering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 30.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 29.6% |
| Master’s degree | 11.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.1% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in optical enginering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in optical enginering prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to optical enginering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to optical enginering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 266,797 | 14.5% |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 227,778 | 6.7% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of optical enginering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $82,923 |
| 4 years | $94,702 |
| 5 years | $107,414 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for optical enginering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers optical enginering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Photonics Engineers | $84,667 |
With 6 different optical enginering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased optical enginering school rankings to help you.
Those considering optical enginering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 25,975 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other | 434 |
| Telecommunications Engineering | 194 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
