Nanosystems Engineers earn a median of $122,930 per year ($59.10/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 3.7% through 2035, with about 8,800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 17-2199
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Nanosystems Engineer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $122,930a year, or $59.10/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $67KTop 10% $190K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +3.7%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+3.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +3.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 8,800166,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025166.7K
- Projected 2035173K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 166.7K Projected 2035 173K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Bachelor's14.3%
- Post-bacc certificate9.5%
- Master's9.5%
- Doctorate57.1%
- Post-doctoral training9.5%
Highest education held by nanosystems engineers Segment Value Bachelor's 14.3% Post-bacc certificate 9.5% Master's 9.5% Doctorate 57.1% Post-doctoral training 9.5%
Also advertised as: Process Development Engineer, Research Engineer.
Pay
How much do Nanosystems Engineers make?
Every nanosystems engineer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$122,930
Middle half earn $90,970 to $158,090
- 10th
- $66,810
- 25th
- $90,970
- 75th
- $158,090
- 90th
- $189,950
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $66,810 |
| 25th | $90,970 |
| Median | $122,930 |
| 75th | $158,090 |
| 90th | $189,950 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $122,930
- Median hourly wage
- $59.10/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $125,330
- People employed
- 154,070
Versus all US occupations
At $122,930, Nanosystems Engineers earn 141% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $71,950 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 18% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $189,950 or more while the bottom 10% earn $66,810, a gap of 2.8×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 85% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New Mexico pays the most at $162,070, and still leads at $175,758 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Nanosystems Engineers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New Mexico | $162,070 | $175,758 | 2,190 |
| 2Alabama | $152,550 | $171,746 | 3,460 |
| 3District of Columbia | $151,920 | $138,234 | 3,560 |
| 4Virginia | $148,160 | $146,542 | 5,060 |
| 5Alaska | $142,390 | $139,108 | 200 |
| 6Washington | $134,570 | $125,751 | 3,580 |
| 7Colorado | $132,590 | $128,663 | 2,540 |
| 8New Jersey | $132,450 | $121,732 | 4,540 |
| 9Massachusetts | $131,260 | $124,115 | 2,850 |
| 10Idaho | $130,970 | $137,150 | 560 |
Job outlook
Is Nanosystems Engineer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +3.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Nanosystems Engineers | +3.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Nanosystems Engineers to change 3.7% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 6,200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 8,800 openings are projected each year, 5.3% of the 166,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Nanosystems Engineer
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as nanosystems engineers.
- Doctoral Degree57.1%
- Bachelor's Degree14.3%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate9.5%
- Master's Degree9.5%
- Post-Doctoral Training9.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 57.1% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 14.3% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 9.5% |
| Master's Degree | 9.5% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 9.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Nanosystems Engineer do?
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.
Day-to-day tasks
- Supervise technologists or technicians engaged in nanotechnology research or production.
- Conduct research related to a range of nanotechnology topics, such as packaging, heat transfer, fluorescence detection, nanoparticle dispersion, hybrid systems, liquid systems, nanocomposites, nanofabrication, optoelectronics, or nanolithography.
- Synthesize, process, or characterize nanomaterials, using advanced tools or techniques.
- Prepare reports, deliver presentations, or participate in program review activities to communicate engineering results or recommendations.
- Design or conduct tests of new nanotechnology products, processes, or systems.
- Create designs or prototypes for nanosystem applications, such as biomedical delivery systems or atomic force microscopes.
- Write proposals to secure external funding or to partner with other companies.
- Generate high-resolution images or measure force-distance curves, using techniques such as atomic force microscopy.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Science4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Writing3.9
- Mathematics3.9
- Active Learning3.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Science | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.9 |
| Mathematics | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Systems Analysis3.6
- Systems Evaluation3.4
- Operations Analysis3.3
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Technology Design3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.6 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.4 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Technology Design | 3.1 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Business intelligence and data analysis software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Process mapping and design software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Nanosystems Engineer?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Nanosystems Engineer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative6.1
- Realistic5.3
- Conventional4.0
- Enterprising2.6
- Artistic2.4
- Social1.5
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Nanosystems Engineer
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
Nanotechnology Engineering Technologist and Technician
$66,120median a year
Most earn $47K to $99K
+3.1%Associate's - Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Management
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Manager
$171,270median a year
Most earn $121K to $263K
+5.5%Bachelor's
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with nanosystems engineers highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Nanosystems Engineer$122,930
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Nanosystems Engineer | $122,930 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Nanosystems Engineer appears on
Questions
Nanosystems Engineer: frequently asked questions
How much do Nanosystems Engineers make?
Nanosystems Engineers earn a median of $122,930 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 141% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $59.10/hr. The middle half earn between $90,970 and $158,090. The top 10% earn $189,950 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Nanosystems Engineer?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Nanosystems Engineers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as considerable preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 57.1% hold doctoral degree.
Is Nanosystems Engineer a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 3.7% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 8,800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Nanosystems Engineer do?
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. A core O*NET task: supervise technologists or technicians engaged in nanotechnology research or production. Employers most often ask for Business intelligence and data analysis software, Computer aided design CAD software, Customer relationship management CRM software.
Which states pay Nanosystems Engineers the most?
The highest state medians for Nanosystems Engineers are New Mexico ($162,070), Alabama ($152,550), District of Columbia ($151,920) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Nanosystems Engineer?
O*NET scores Nanosystems Engineers highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are INTJ, ISTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.