Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians: Career Overview
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.
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What Tasks Do Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians Do?
The core tasks performed by nanotechnology engineering technologists and technicians include:
- 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.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Top nanotechnology engineering technologists and technicians rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
These are the skills most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Types of Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians Jobs
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Cleanroom Operator
- Cleanroom Technician (Cleanroom Tech)
- Engineering Technician (Engineering Tech)
- Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician)
- Nanofabrication Specialist
- Nanoscience Technician (Nanoscience Tech)
- Nanotechnician
- Nanotechnologist
Employment and Demand
The U.S. employs around 139,325 nanotechnology engineering technologists and technicians working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to decline by -0.5% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $88,689 |
| Hourly median | $42.64 |
| 10th percentile | $55,484 |
| 25th percentile | $72,087 |
| 75th percentile | $105,292 |
| 90th percentile | $121,895 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $94,110 |
| Washington | $81,530 |
| Maryland | $78,800 |
| California | $77,350 |
| Oregon | $76,370 |
| Missouri | $75,000 |
| Oklahoma | $74,960 |
| North Dakota | $72,560 |
| Massachusetts | $71,370 |
| Arizona | $69,900 |
| Illinois | $69,430 |
| South Carolina | $69,250 |
| New York | $66,830 |
| Minnesota | $66,260 |
| New Hampshire | $66,080 |
| North Carolina | $65,960 |
| Utah | $65,330 |
| Colorado | $64,890 |
| Connecticut | $64,820 |
| Maine | $64,790 |
| Rhode Island | $64,750 |
| Wisconsin | $64,680 |
| Virginia | $64,170 |
| Vermont | $63,700 |
| Ohio | $63,690 |
| Kentucky | $63,430 |
| West Virginia | $62,820 |
| New Jersey | $62,780 |
| Michigan | $62,040 |
| Idaho | $61,710 |
| Nebraska | $61,690 |
| Indiana | $61,480 |
| Texas | $60,900 |
| Georgia | $60,790 |
| Iowa | $60,330 |
| Alabama | $59,860 |
| Nevada | $59,740 |
| Arkansas | $59,720 |
| Tennessee | $59,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,590 |
| New Mexico | $59,290 |
| Montana | $58,640 |
| Mississippi | $57,370 |
| Kansas | $52,700 |
| Florida | $52,620 |
| South Dakota | $50,390 |
| Puerto Rico | $45,760 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Pay for nanotechnology engineering technologists and technicians differ across the country. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $75,478 | 9.6% | 0.70 |
| New England | $68,382 | 5.1% | 1.13 |
| Middle Atlantic | $65,486 | 10.1% | 0.74 |
| Plains States | $65,180 | 10.9% | 2.90 |
| Rocky Mountains | $64,496 | 3.4% | 1.15 |
| Southwest | $64,203 | 11.0% | 0.90 |
| Great Lakes | $63,815 | 27.1% | 2.15 |
| Southeast | $58,016 | 21.5% | 1.07 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | LA | $133,410 | 130 |
| Midland, TX | TX | $110,900 | 50 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | WA | $107,810 | 50 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | TX | $104,580 | 100 |
| Vallejo, CA | CA | $102,420 | 30 |
| Anchorage, AK | AK | $94,110 | 30 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | GA | $92,800 | 290 |
| Pittsfield, MA | MA | $89,740 | 60 |
Which Industries Hire Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians
The largest employers of nanotechnology engineering technologists and technicians are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 56,040 | $63,320 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 8,450 | $73,560 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 2,460 | $76,410 |
| Wholesale Trade | 2,130 | $65,260 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1,580 | $51,430 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 400 | $63,510 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 270 | $105,570 |
| Utilities | 220 | $100,220 |
Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians work in the following industries:
Software Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians Use
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Operating system software: Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The on-the-job environment of nanotechnology engineering technologists and technicians reflects the following characteristics:
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Getting Started in This Career
This occupation sits in Considerable Preparation Needed (Job Zone 4), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers (Supplemental)
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers (Supplemental)
- Chemical Engineers (Primary-Long)
- Industrial Engineers (Supplemental)
- Mechatronics Engineers (Supplemental)
- Microsystems Engineers (Supplemental)
- Robotics Engineers (Supplemental)
- Nanosystems Engineers (Primary-Short)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Future nanotechnology engineering technologists and technicians commonly pursue programs in:
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
8 programs across 4 majors
- Industrial Production Technology
- Engineering-Related Fields
- Quality Control Technology
- General Engineering Technology
Sources
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 17-3026.01 (Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians).