Nanosystems Engineers
SOC code 17-2199 · O*NET-SOC 17-2199.09 · Extensive preparation needed · Science and engineering
Nanosystems Engineers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$122,930
a year
Hourly
$59.10
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$125,330
$60.26 per hour
Middle 50%
$90,970 – $158,090
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$66,810 – $189,950
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
154,070
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Engineers, All Other”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $66,810
- $32.12/hr
- 25th percentile
- $90,970
- $43.73/hr
- Median percentile
- $122,930
- $59.10/hr
- 75th percentile
- $158,090
- $76.01/hr
- 90th percentile
- $189,950
- $91.32/hr
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Provide scientific or technical guidance or expertise to scientists, engineers, technologists, technicians, or others, using knowledge of chemical, analytical, or biological processes as applied to micro and nanoscale systems.
- 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.
How to become a nanosystems engineer
Most people in this role hold doctoral degree — 57% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Doctoral Degree57%
- Bachelor's Degree14%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate10%
- Master's Degree10%
Common questions
How much does a nanosystems engineer earn?
The national median is $122,930 a year. The full range runs from $66,810 at the 10th percentile to $189,950 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a nanosystems engineer without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Science4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Writing3.9/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Active Learning3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology4.6/5
- Physics4.6/5
- Chemistry4.3/5
- Mathematics4.1/5
- Computers and Electronics3.8/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Education and Training3.4/5
- Production and Processing3.4/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.