Photonics Engineers

SOC 17-2199.07

Design technologies specializing in light information or light energy, such as laser or fiber optics technology.

Five-year wage trends

Median wage levels across states

Focus level

Level III median wage up 17.8% since 2020-21.

2026 weighted lottery impact

Thresholds for Level III & IV

Level III threshold: $108,160

Level IV threshold: $128,222

Most common level in filings: Level II

Latest Level III median

2025-26

$108,160

Level I$70,585

Level II$89,721

Level III$108,160

Level IV$128,222

Top metros by Level III wages

Latest year median for this occupation

Rank	Metro Area	Level I	Level II	Level III	Level IV
1	Santa Fe, NM, NM	$94,182	$131,082	$168,002	$204,901
2	San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, CA	$100,194	$133,390	$166,566	$199,763
3	San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, CA	$100,318	$129,459	$158,621	$187,762
4	Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, DC	$99,216	$126,152	$153,088	$180,024
5	Farmington, NM, NM	$98,114	$123,635	$149,178	$174,699
6	Albuquerque, NM, NM	$99,258	$123,157	$147,056	$170,955
7	Boise City, ID, ID	$100,277	$122,866	$145,475	$168,064
8	Charlottesville, VA, VA	$96,949	$121,098	$145,246	$169,395
9	Huntsville, AL, AL	$94,390	$119,538	$144,685	$169,832
10	Decatur, AL, AL	$94,411	$119,475	$144,560	$169,624

Related occupations

Explore adjacent roles in this SOC group

Loading H-1B Calculator...