The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) does not provide an employment outlook for microfabrication engineers, but it does offer the following job growth predictions (through 2029) for engineers who conduct research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences:
- biomedical engineers: +5 percent (faster than the average)
- aerospace engineers: +3 percent (about as fast as the average)
- chemical engineers: +4 percent (about as fast as the average)
- environmental engineers: +3 percent (about as fast as the average)
- materials engineers: +2 percent (slower than the average)
- electrical and electronics engineers: +3 percent (about as fast as the average).
In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic disrupted most industries, causing lockdowns, budget cuts, layoffs, and an economic slowdown. Many engineering professionals have been deemed essential workers, however, and have continued to work throughout the pandemic. Employment growth may slow somewhat into 2021 but is expected to pick up as the economy strengthens.
According to MEMS Industry Group, the “future of MEMS is rich with commercial possibilities, including the trillions of MEMS sensors envisioned to be used as the eyes and ears of the Internet of Things; the future of MEMS also includes local MEMS-based environmental monitoring devices; deployments in the MEMS-enabled quantified self movement and in personalized medicine applications; MEMS-containing wearables; and MEMS-reliant drones and other small personal robots.”
- Advanced Manufacturing Engineers
- Advanced Manufacturing Technicians
- Biochemists
- Biomedical Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemists
- Drug Developers
- Electronics Engineering Technicians
- Engineering Technicians
- Futurists
- Materials Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Microbiologists
- Microfabrication Technicians
- Nanomaterials Scientists
- Nanosystems Engineers
- Nanotechnicians
- Nanotechnologists
- Robotics Engineers
- Robotics Technicians
- Semiconductor Technicians