SOC 17-2199.06

    Microsystems Engineers

    Research, design, develop, or test microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices.

    Median pay
    $122,930
    Growth
    +3.7%
    As fast as average
    Openings a year
    8,800
    Typical education
    Bachelor's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections · figures for the broader BLS group "Engineers, all other"

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $66,810
    Median
    $122,930
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $189,950
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    154,070 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Microsystems engineers design, research, and test microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices. Belonging to a broad engineering category with a median annual pay of $122,930, these professionals use advanced science and technology to develop microscopic components.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What microsystems engineers do

    Job Zone 5: Extensive preparation

    Research, design, develop, or test microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices.

    Most need a graduate degree, such as a master's, PhD, MD or JD.

    What the work is like

    Microsystems engineers spend their days researching, designing, developing, and testing microscopic devices. This highly investigative work requires strong skills in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering technology. Daily activities revolve around solving complex problems, analyzing data, and using computers to draft and specify technical layouts for micro-scale equipment.

    To succeed in this field, engineers must possess deep knowledge of computers, electronics, and mechanical design. They rely on critical thinking, active listening, and reading comprehension to process complex technical information. Because the work is highly technical, professionals must balance intellectual curiosity and innovation with cautiousness and strict attention to detail. They must also communicate effectively with supervisors and peers to coordinate project goals and maintain strong working relationships.

    How to get there

    Entering this career typically requires at least a bachelor's degree, though the majority of professionals in this field need extensive preparation, often obtaining graduate degrees such as a master's or a PhD. Relevant college majors include general engineering, chemical engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, civil engineering, engineering physics, and engineering-related fields.

    Depending on the location, some states list a license for this work. Prospective engineers can prepare by focusing on coursework that builds strong foundations in mathematics, physical sciences, and computer-aided design.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for microsystems engineers is $122,930, based on data for the broader occupational group of all other engineers. Within this group, the lowest 10% earn less than $66,810, while the highest 10% earn more than $189,950.

    There are 154,070 people employed in this broader engineering category. Employment is projected to grow by 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 8,800 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    75 / 100
    Investigative (I) · strongest
    87 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    16 / 100
    Social (S)
    9 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    7 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    65 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code IRC. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    86
    Working with Computers
    86
    Getting Information
    85
    Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    77
    Analyzing Data or Information
    75
    Thinking Creatively
    75
    Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
    75
    Processing Information
    75
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    74
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    74
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Active Listening
    • Critical Thinking
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Systems Analysis
    • Writing
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Monitoring
    • Science
    • Speaking

    Knowledge

    • Computers and Electronics
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Design
    • English Language
    • Production and Processing
    • Mechanical
    • Administration and Management
    • Chemistry

    Abilities

    • Oral Comprehension
    • Written Comprehension
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Oral Expression
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Written Expression
    • Fluency of Ideas
    • Information Ordering
    • Category Flexibility

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Innovation
    • Dependability
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Cautiousness
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Integrity
    • Adaptability
    • Perseverance
    • Tolerance for Ambiguity

    Also called

    Applications Engineer · Arrhythmia Engineer · Control Systems Engineer · Design Engineer · Device Engineer · Engineer · GaN Device Engineer (Gallium Nitride Device Engineer) · Medical Device Engineer · MEMS Device Scientist (Microelectromechanical Systems Device Scientist) · MEMS Engineer (Microelectromechanical Systems Engineer)

    Career pathway

    From your interests to microsystems engineers

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Microsystems Engineers$122,930 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Carnegie Mellon University logo
      Carnegie Mellon University

      Pittsburgh, PA · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $150,074
      4 yrs after
      $250,168
      Median debt
      $19,500
    2. 2University of California-Berkeley CAL logo
      University of California-Berkeley CAL

      Berkeley, CA · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $154,713
      4 yrs after
      $200,543
      Median debt
      $13,548
    3. 3Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT logo
      Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT

      Cambridge, MA · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $150,863
      4 yrs after
      $161,118
      Median debt
      $15,000
    4. 4Cornell University-New York logo
      Cornell University-New York

      Ithaca, NY · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $110,607
      4 yrs after
      $147,241
      Median debt
      $12,750
    5. 5The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus logo
      The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus

      Austin, TX · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $111,942
      4 yrs after
      $146,003
      Median debt
      $18,118
    6. 6University of Virginia-Main Campus UVA logo
      University of Virginia-Main Campus UVA

      Charlottesville, VA · Systems Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $96,168
      4 yrs after
      $144,830
      Median debt
      $12,000
    7. 7Columbia University in the City of New York logo
      Columbia University in the City of New York

      New York, NY · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $143,332
      Median debt
      Not reported
    8. 8
      Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

      New York, NY · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $139,068
      Median debt
      Not reported

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What microsystems engineers may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work. Showing 12 of 32.

    • Applied Engineering
    • Architectural Engineering
    • Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering
    • Biochemical Engineering
    • Biological/Biosystems Engineering
    • Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
    • Construction Engineering
    • Electrical and Computer Engineering
    • Electromechanical Engineering
    • Energy Systems Engineering, General
    • Energy Systems Engineering, Other
    • Engineering Chemistry

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    49 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about microsystems engineers

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for microsystems engineers?

    People in this field are also called MEMS device scientists, medical device engineers, GaN device engineers, control systems engineers, and applications engineers.

    What are the primary fields of study for this career?

    Students typically major in general engineering, chemical engineering, electrical and communications engineering, civil engineering, or engineering physics.

    What is the job outlook and employment size for this field?

    The broader engineering group employs 154,070 people and is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035. This growth will generate about 8,800 job openings annually.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.