Also called: Optical Metrology Engineer
Measures whether lenses, lasers, and optical systems actually perform the way they were designed.
You set up interferometers that reveal bumps on a lens surface smaller than a millionth of an inch. You write test procedures, automate measurements with code, and decide whether a part passes or goes back to be polished again.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in optics, physics, or engineering.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering.
Growing about average. BLS does not project this specialty separately; rating estimated from related occupations.
Medium risk for 10 years. Automated test stations and AI pass/fail checks grow; setting up interferometers and judging odd parts stay human.
Classes: AP Physics, Statistics, AP Computer Science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2199.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.