This invention provides an optical module, in which a wiring inductance between a laser diode and a circuit for driving the laser diode may be reduced, thereby enhancing a high frequency performance. The optical module of the invention has a bench on which the laser diode and the circuit are arranged. A level of a first region of the bench where the laser diode is mounted is higher than that of a second region thereof where the circuit is mounted. A photodiode for monitoring the light emitted from the laser diode is aligned and mounted on the circuit through the carrier so that the photodiode optically couples to the laser diode.