Takeover Tracker
33%medium risk
Photonics Engineers
vs

69 shared · 11 different

core competencies

34%medium risk
Electrical Engineers

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPhotonics EngineersElectrical Engineers
Risk Score32.6%34.3%
Risk TierMedium RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile54th63th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)4 / 157 / 15
Median Salary$117,750$111,910
Employment151K189K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Physics
Technology DesignAI-Augmented
Controlling Machines and Processes
Originality
Active LearningAI-Augmented
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Mathematical Reasoning
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Deductive Reasoning
Documenting/Recording Information
Engineering and Technology

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Photonics Engineers

31%

total discount

Electrical Engineers

31%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Photonics Engineers

4 of 15 at risk
85%Document photonics system or component design processes, including objectives, issues, or outcomes.
57%Write reports or proposals related to photonics research or development projects.
53%Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components.
51%Conduct research on new photonics technologies.
49%Conduct testing to determine functionality or optimization or to establish limits of photonics systems or components.

Electrical Engineers

7 of 15 at risk
86%Compile data and write reports regarding existing or potential electrical engineering studies or projects.
80%Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
74%Inspect completed installations and observe operations to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational, safety, or environmental standards.
71%Prepare technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems, or topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements.
53%Plan layout of electric power generating plants or distribution lines or stations.

Wage Comparison

Electrical Engineers earns -$5,840(-5%) vs Photonics Engineers
Photonics EngineersElectrical Engineers
10th
$62,840$74,670
25th
$85,750$87,590
Median
$117,750$111,910
75th
$152,670$141,630
90th
$183,510$175,460

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Photonics Engineers2028–2035
Electrical Engineers2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Photonics Engineers has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Electrical Engineers.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)

Photonics Engineers

$79,340

from $117,750

Electrical Engineers

$73,581

from $111,910

After adjusting for AI risk, Photonics Engineers offers $5,759 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Photonics

0

Unique to Electrical

Combined Protection Strategy

Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors

Fine Manipulation
Social Intelligence
Creativity
Decision Complexity
Photonics EngineersElectrical Engineers
Find transitions from Photonics EngineersFind transitions from Electrical Engineers