Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians
SOC code 17-3026 · O*NET-SOC 17-3026.01 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$66,120
a year
Hourly
$31.79
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$70,700
$33.99 per hour
Middle 50%
$55,760 – $80,280
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$47,300 – $99,150
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
75,570
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 “Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $47,300
- $22.74/hr
- 25th percentile
- $55,760
- $26.81/hr
- Median percentile
- $66,120
- $31.79/hr
- 75th percentile
- $80,280
- $38.59/hr
- 90th percentile
- $99,150
- $47.67/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+2%
Growing about as fast as average
74,600
jobs in 2024
75,900
projected for 2034
About 1,300 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do nanotechnology engineering technologists and technicians do?
Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Produce images or measurements, using tools or techniques such as atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, particle size analysis, or zeta potential analysis.
- Maintain accurate record or batch-record documentation of nanoproduction.
- Calibrate nanotechnology equipment, such as weighing, testing, or production equipment.
- Maintain work area according to cleanroom or other processing standards.
- Repair nanotechnology processing or testing equipment or submit work orders for equipment repair.
- Assist nanoscientists or engineers in processing or characterizing materials according to physical or chemical properties.
- Collaborate with scientists or engineers to design or conduct experiments for the development of nanotechnology materials, components, devices, or systems.
- Operate nanotechnology compounding, testing, processing, or production equipment in accordance with appropriate standard operating procedures, good manufacturing practices, hazardous material restrictions, or health and safety requirements.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold doctoral degree — 40% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Doctoral Degree40%
- Bachelor's Degree30%
- Master's Degree10%
- Post-Doctoral Training10%
Common questions
How much does a nanotechnology engineering technologists and technicians earn?
The national median is $66,120 a year. The full range runs from $47,300 at the 10th percentile to $99,150 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 nanotechnology engineering technologists and technicians without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is nanotechnology engineering technologists and technicians in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 2% between 2024 and 2034 — growing about as fast as average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.1/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Writing3.8/5
- Active Listening3.6/5
- Science3.6/5
- Speaking3.4/5
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology4.3/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Computers and Electronics4.0/5
- Chemistry4.0/5
- Mathematics3.8/5
- Physics3.7/5
- Education and Training3.7/5
- Production and Processing3.4/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Operations Monitoring, Troubleshooting, Systems Analysis.