Global Markets: The 2008 Photonics Salary Survey

The 2008 Photonics Salary Survey bodes well for the industry. Salaries overall have kept pace with inflation, showing a 4 percent increase over last year’s numbers. Other heartening statistics include a job satisfaction rate of 75 percent and a majority reporting that their companies are in a hiring mode, with a slight increase in hiring for photonics positions.

This year’s survey was conducted by Laurin Publishing’s IT department, which sent out questionnaires in late fall to a sample of its subscribers. The results are based on more than 3000 replies.

The figures shown in the report are presented as averages, percentages or Yes/No responses.

Survey results

Salary, age 45 and below.....................................................$87,624

Salary, age 46 and above...................................................$112,016

Years in work force.........................................................................22

Years of photonics work experience...............................................14

Would you relocate for a better job?....................................Yes   16%
                                                                                             No    29%
                                                                  Depends on location   50%

Gender..............................................................................Male   83%
                                                                                       Female 12%

Number of vacation days.................................................................20

How much of a raise did you receive in 2008?................................4%

How many times were you contacted by a recruiter in 2008?............2

For how many companies have you worked?....................................3

How many years have you been with your current employer?..........10