# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/nanosystems-engineers
- SOC code: 17-2199.09
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $122,930 (10th percentile $66,810, 90th percentile $189,950)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +3.7%
- Openings a year: 8,800
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Engineers, all other".

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 72 |
| Investigative (I) | 85 |
| Artistic (A) | 23 |
| Social (S) | 8 |
| Enterprising (E) | 26 |
| Conventional (C) | 51 |

## What you'd do

- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 91/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 87/100)
- Getting Information (importance 83/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 82/100)
- Processing Information (importance 80/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 80/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 79/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 78/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 78/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 76/100)

## 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

## 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

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Engineering, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1401) (CIP 1401, 803 colleges)
- [Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5123) (CIP 5123, 591 colleges)
- [Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1410) (CIP 1410, 456 colleges)
- [Civil Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1408) (CIP 1408, 326 colleges)
- [Engineering-Related Fields](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1515) (CIP 1515, 230 colleges)
- [Chemical Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1407) (CIP 1407, 214 colleges)
- [Engineering, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1499) (CIP 1499, 149 colleges)
- [Engineering Physics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1412) (CIP 1412, 145 colleges)
- [Systems Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1427) (CIP 1427, 119 colleges)
- [Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1442) (CIP 1442, 108 colleges)
- [Engineering Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1413) (CIP 1413, 101 colleges)
- [Manufacturing Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1436) (CIP 1436, 86 colleges)
- [Construction Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1433) (CIP 1433, 59 colleges)
- [Electrical and Computer Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1447) (CIP 1447, 46 colleges)
- Nanotechnology (CIP 1516, 38 colleges)
- [Architectural Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1404) (CIP 1404, 31 colleges)
- Biological/Biosystems Engineering (CIP 1445, 29 colleges)
- Engineering Mechanics (CIP 1411, 29 colleges)
- Energy Systems Engineering (CIP 1448, 25 colleges)
- Surveying Engineering (CIP 1438, 25 colleges)
- Geological/Geophysical Engineering (CIP 1439, 24 colleges)
- Ocean Engineering (CIP 1424, 17 colleges)
- Electromechanical Engineering (CIP 1441, 10 colleges)
- Biochemical Engineering (CIP 1443, 9 colleges)
- Engineering Chemistry (CIP 1444, 3 colleges)
- Forest Engineering (CIP 1434, 3 colleges)
- Paper Science and Engineering (CIP 1440, 3 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $150,074 | $250,168 | $19,500 |
| [University of California-Berkeley CAL](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $154,713 | $200,543 | $13,548 |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $150,863 | $161,118 | $15,000 |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $110,607 | $147,241 | $12,750 |
| [The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-texas-at-austin-main-campus-2764) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $111,942 | $146,003 | $18,118 |
| [University of Virginia-Main Campus UVA](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-virginia-main-campus-uva-3072) | Systems Engineering | $96,168 | $144,830 | $12,000 |
| [Columbia University in the City of New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york-656) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | not reported | $143,332 | not reported |
| [Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cooper-union-for-the-advancement-of-science-and-art-704) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | not reported | $139,068 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/nanotechnology-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $66,120 median pay
- [Materials Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/materials-scientists): $117,790 median pay
- [Microsystems Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/microsystems-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioengineers-and-biomedical-engineers): $109,370 median pay
- [Chemical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/chemical-engineers): $125,040 median pay
- [Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biofuels-biodiesel-technology-and-product-development-managers): $171,270 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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.