Laser engineer wage question...

[Abbottoxf]

Hi! I currently work as a part time fibre laser manufacturer, and I've been offered a job as a laser engineer. I can't find tons about wages for laser engineers online, and I've been told I'd get about £26,000 a year, which goes to about £21,000 a year after tax&NI according to this site (https://www.income-tax.co.uk/). I'm living a little stretched but other than that fine on the £12,000 a year I'm on now so the extra wages would be nice. anyway - I was wondering if someone here could let me know if this is a decent wage for someone fairly experienced in most lasers but nothing super advanced/powerful (yet).

Thanks!

[buffo]

I guess it depends on your education.?.

I'm assuming a "laser engineer" position would require a 4-year engineering degree at a minimum. And if that's the case then the salaries you posted seem rather low to me.

However, if you don't have a degree and they are still willing to give you a shot at the job, then it's probably worth taking it to build some experience. (And that might also explain the lower starting salary.)

Adam

[SaltyRobot]

Where are you located? What is the average cost of living where you are located. I agree with Buffo those wages seem low for an engineer. But if you are located in a country where the average cost of living is 10,000 then 26,000 would be very high.

[mixedgas]

54K$ + health benefits + per diem is a good starter level for a 4 year degree + five years experience here in the US for laser field servicing. Many make more then that, if they have the Masters or PhD.
~
So 32K$ at todays conversion rate for Pounds to Dollars seems low, that is a first year technician pay in these parts of Ohio.

Define the duties attached to the job please? Engineer in the UK can often mean "Seriously Skilled Technician " such as a aircraft maintainer, whereas Engineer in the US means Four Year Engineering Degree. Unless your in IT, where they toss the "E" word out like its candy.
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[Mishelanderson]

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[Bobbyson90]

I’ve worked with several development teams over the past few years, and one thing I realized is that technical expertise alone isn’t enough — consistency and the ability to adapt to shifting requirements matter just as much. I’m curious how others here evaluate long-term reliability before signing a contract. Do you rely mostly on case studies, trial assignments, or direct interviews with their engineers? I’m currently reviewing a few candidates and trying to build a more structured comparison framework.

[Lumilton]

I’ve worked with several development teams over the past few years, and one thing I realized is that technical expertise alone isn’t enough — consistency and the ability to adapt to shifting requirements matter just as much. I’m curious how others here evaluate long-term reliability before signing a contract. Do you rely mostly on case studies, trial assignments, or direct interviews with their engineers? I’m currently reviewing a few candidates and trying to build a more structured comparison framework.

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