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Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians: Career Overview
Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
What Tasks Do Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Perform?
The day-to-day responsibilities of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians span:
- Assemble or disassemble complex mechanical systems.
- Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings.
- Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.
- Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.
- Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation.
- Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress.
- Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.
- Analyze test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modify or adjust equipment to meet specifications.
What Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Need to Know
Top mechanical engineering technologists and technicians rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
These are the skills that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Other Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Apparatus Engineering Technologist
- Automation Design Checker
- Brinell Tester
- Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)
- Computer-Aided Design Designer
- Development Technician
- Electrical Mechanical Maintenance Technician
- Engineering Aide
Employment and Demand
The U.S. employs around 366,047 mechanical engineering technologists and technicians working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to decline by -1.1% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $108,923 |
| Hourly median | $52.37 |
| 10th percentile | $70,397 |
| 25th percentile | $89,660 |
| 75th percentile | $128,186 |
| 90th percentile | $147,449 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $100,430 |
| New Mexico | $87,800 |
| Indiana | $83,200 |
| California | $82,210 |
| Colorado | $81,700 |
| Rhode Island | $81,400 |
| Missouri | $81,200 |
| Connecticut | $80,970 |
| Nebraska | $77,900 |
| District of Columbia | $77,270 |
| Maryland | $76,890 |
| New York | $75,680 |
| Maine | $75,150 |
| Texas | $74,330 |
| Illinois | $74,010 |
| Washington | $73,980 |
| Oregon | $73,690 |
| Minnesota | $72,800 |
| New Jersey | $71,230 |
| Mississippi | $70,300 |
| North Dakota | $69,680 |
| Tennessee | $68,640 |
| Arizona | $68,280 |
| New Hampshire | $67,890 |
| Kentucky | $67,780 |
| Idaho | $67,600 |
| Ohio | $67,510 |
| Massachusetts | $66,950 |
| Iowa | $66,160 |
| Wisconsin | $66,150 |
| Georgia | $66,100 |
| Delaware | $65,800 |
| Nevada | $64,960 |
| Florida | $64,810 |
| South Carolina | $64,010 |
| Virginia | $63,860 |
| Michigan | $63,130 |
| Oklahoma | $63,090 |
| North Carolina | $62,760 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,550 |
| Alabama | $61,220 |
| West Virginia | $61,040 |
| Utah | $60,830 |
| Kansas | $59,540 |
| South Dakota | $51,480 |
| Puerto Rico | $50,450 |
Where Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Earn the Most
Pay for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians shift depending on where you work. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $77,362 | 14.2% | 0.91 |
| Southwest | $73,574 | 8.2% | 0.71 |
| Plains States | $71,618 | 7.2% | 1.15 |
| New England | $70,814 | 4.9% | 1.61 |
| Middle Atlantic | $69,162 | 12.6% | 1.06 |
| Great Lakes | $68,427 | 32.6% | 3.25 |
| Southeast | $67,322 | 15.4% | 0.80 |
| Rocky Mountains | $66,562 | 4.6% | 2.14 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | LA | $130,220 | 200 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | WA | $108,820 | 100 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | CA | $106,940 | 140 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | IA | $102,200 | 160 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | MO | $98,850 | |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $97,800 | 670 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | CT | $97,130 | 40 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | TX | $96,960 | 50 |
Industry Breakdown
The bulk of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 19,270 | $69,640 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 10,280 | $72,560 |
| Wholesale Trade | 2,350 | $59,350 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1,790 | $61,960 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 930 | $76,360 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 590 | $78,390 |
| Educational Services | 430 | $54,750 |
| Utilities | 250 | $94,270 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Software Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Use
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk Revit (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Bentley MicroStation (hot technology)
- Object or component oriented development software: C++ (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Dassault Systemes SolidWorks (hot technology)
- 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)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Project management software: Microsoft Project (hot technology)
- Document management software: Microsoft SharePoint (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The on-the-job environment of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Telephone Conversations
Getting Started in This Career
Typical mechanical engineering technologists and technicians positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Software Developers (Supplemental)
- Aerospace Engineers (Supplemental)
- Electrical Engineers (Supplemental)
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer (Supplemental)
- Industrial Engineers (Supplemental)
- Manufacturing Engineers (Supplemental)
- Mechanical Engineers (Supplemental)
- Mechatronics Engineers (Supplemental)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Students preparing for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians often complete programs in:
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
4 programs across 2 majors
Sources
This profile draws on 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: 17-3027.00 (Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians).
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