SOC 17-2199.09

    Nanosystems Engineers

    Design, develop, or supervise the production of materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition, applying principles of nanoscale physics and electrical, chemical, or biological engineering.

    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

    Nanosystems engineers design and develop materials and devices at the molecular scale. While the federal government tracks them within a broader engineering category that has a median annual pay of $122,930, these specialists apply physics, chemistry, and biology to create advanced nanoscale technologies.

    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 nanosystems engineers do

    Job Zone 5: Extensive preparation

    Design, develop, or supervise the production of materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition, applying principles of nanoscale physics and electrical, chemical, or biological engineering.

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

    What the work is like

    Nanosystems engineers focus on designing, developing, and supervising the production of systems and materials with unique molecular compositions. Their daily work is highly investigative and relies on a strong foundation in engineering, technology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. These professionals spend their time analyzing data, solving complex problems, and thinking creatively to build microscopic devices. They must constantly gather and process information, monitor materials, and update their technical knowledge.

    To succeed in this field, engineers need sharp skills in critical thinking, science, active learning, and mathematics. They must communicate their findings clearly through speaking and writing to supervisors and peers. Because the work is highly precise, certain work styles are essential, particularly a strong attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and innovation. These engineers must also show adaptability, perseverance, and a tolerance for ambiguity when experiments do not yield immediate results. They utilize computers and electronics daily to model their designs and monitor production processes.

    How to get there

    To enter this career, the typical education required is a bachelor's degree. Students often major in general engineering, chemical engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, civil engineering, engineering physics, or other engineering-related fields. However, because of the highly complex nature of nanoscale technology, most professionals in this field require extensive preparation, often earning a graduate degree such as a master's degree or a PhD.

    Some states list a license for this work, so requirements can vary depending on where you plan to practice. Prospective engineers can also look into related roles, such as nanotechnology engineering technologists and technicians, materials scientists, or microsystems engineers, to find the right educational path for their specific goals.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The federal government tracks nanosystems engineers under the broader category of "Engineers, all other." For this group, the median annual pay was $122,930 in 2025. The lowest 10% of earners in this category made less than $66,810, while the highest 10% earned more than $189,950.

    There are 154,070 people employed in this broader engineering group. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 3.7%, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth, along with normal retirement and turnover, is expected to result in about 8,800 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    72 / 100
    Investigative (I) · strongest
    85 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    23 / 100
    Social (S)
    8 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    26 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    51 / 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

    Analyzing Data or Information
    91
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    87
    Getting Information
    83
    Thinking Creatively
    82
    Processing Information
    80
    Working with Computers
    80
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    79
    Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    78
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    78
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    76
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Critical Thinking
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Science
    • Speaking
    • Active Learning
    • Active Listening
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Mathematics
    • Writing

    Knowledge

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Physics
    • Chemistry
    • Mathematics
    • Computers and Electronics
    • English Language
    • Education and Training
    • Design
    • Production and Processing
    • Mechanical

    Abilities

    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Category Flexibility
    • Information Ordering
    • Written Expression
    • Flexibility of Closure

    Work styles

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

    Also called

    Durability Engineer · Nanoelectronics Engineer · Nanofabrication Engineer · Nanofabrication Research Engineer · Nanoindentation Applications Engineer · Nanomaterials Research Scientist · Nanomaterials Synthesis Research Scientist · Nanosystems Engineer · Nanotechnology Engineer · Nanotechnology Materials Scientist

    Career pathway

    From your interests to nanosystems 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

      • Nanosystems 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 nanosystems 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 nanosystems 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 nanosystems engineers?

    People in this field are also called nanotechnology engineers, nanofabrication research engineers, nanomaterials research scientists, and nanoelectronics engineers.

    What college majors are recommended for this career?

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

    Is a license required to work in this field?

    Some states list a license for this work, so you should check the specific board requirements in the state where you plan to work.

    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.