Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Career, Salary and Education Information
What They Do: Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture mechanical devices.
Work Environment: Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians assist with manufacturing processes in factories or with development phases in research and development labs before manufacturing takes place.
How to Become One: Most employers prefer to hire candidates with an associate’s degree or other postsecondary training in mechanical engineering technology. Prospective engineering technicians should take as many science and math courses as possible while in high school.
Salary: The median annual wage for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is $56,980.
Job Outlook: Employment of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is projected to grow 6 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations. There should be opportunities for those who can master new software and technology in addition to traditional manual skills.
Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians with similar occupations.
Following is everything you need to know about a career as a mechanical engineering technologist or technician with lots of details. As a first step, take a look at some of the following jobs, which are real jobs with real employers. You will be able to see the very real job career requirements for employers who are actively hiring. The link will open in a new tab so that you can come back to this page to continue reading about the career:
Top 3 Mechanical Engineering Technician Jobs
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Mechanical Engineering Technician
- APR Staffing
- Portland, OR
Mechanical Engineering Technician Location: Portland, OR Duration: 6+ month contract Job Description: Summary: The main function of a mechanical engineering technician is to design, build, test ...
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Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technician
- Systima Technologies, Inc.
- Mukilteo, WA
Job Description SUMMARY The Electro- Mechanical Engineering Technician is responsible for supporting assembly, test, and production work related to electro- mechanical devices. Tasks included in this ...
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Research Technician in Mechanical Engineering/Instrument Development
- LAMPROGEN INC
- Bothell, WA
The research technician is expected to apply scientific and engineering techniques to perform work ... Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering , Electrical Engineering , or related Disciplines with ...
What Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Do[About this section] [To Top]
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture mechanical devices, including tools, engines, and machines. They may make sketches and rough layouts, record and analyze data, make calculations and estimates, and report their findings.
Duties of Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians typically do the following:
- Evaluate design drawings for new or changed tools by measuring dimensions on the drawings and comparing them with the original specifications
- Prepare layouts and drawings of parts to be made and of the process for putting the parts together, often using three-dimensional design software
- Discuss changes with coworkers—for example, in the design of a part and in the way it will be made and assembled
- Review instructions and blueprints for projects in order to ensure that test specifications and procedures are followed and objectives are met
- Plan, produce, and assemble new or changed mechanical parts for products, such as industrial machinery or equipment
- Set up and conduct tests of complete units and their components, and record results
- Compare test results with design specifications and with test objectives and make recommendations for changes in products or in test methods
- Estimate labor costs, equipment life, and plant space
Some mechanical engineering technologists and technicians test and inspect machines and equipment or work with engineers to eliminate production problems. For example, they may assist in testing products by setting up instrumentation for vehicle crash tests.
Work Environment for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians[About this section] [To Top]
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians hold about 40,400 jobs. The largest employers of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians are as follows:
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 22% |
| Machinery manufacturing | 15% |
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | 11% |
| Scientific research and development services | 6% |
| Computer and electronic product manufacturing | 6% |
Some mechanical engineering technologists and technicians may be exposed to hazards from equipment, chemicals, or toxic materials, but injuries are rare as long as proper procedures are followed.
Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician Work Schedules
Most mechanical engineering technologists and technicians work full time.
How to Become a Mechanical Engineering Technician[About this section] [To Top]
Get the education you need: Find schools for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians near you!
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degrees or other postsecondary training to enter the occupation.
Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician Education
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians typically need an associate's degree or a certificate from a community college or vocational-technical school. Community colleges offer programs similar to those in technical institutes but include more theory-based and liberal arts coursework and programs. Community colleges typically award an associate's degree. Vocational–technical schools include postsecondary public institutions that emphasize training needed by local employers. Students who complete these programs typically receive a diploma or certificate.
ABET accredits associate's degree programs in relevant fields of study, such as mechanical engineering technology.
Completing an associate's degree in mechanical engineering technology is good preparation for studying for a bachelor's degree.
High school students interested in becoming mechanical engineering technologists and technicians should take classes in math, science, and computer skills. Courses that help students develop skills working with their hands also are valuable because these technicians build what mechanical engineers design.
Important Qualities for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Communication skills. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians must be able to clearly understand and follow instructions or ask their supervisors for clarification if they do not understand. They must be able to clearly explain, both orally and in writing, the need for changes in designs or test procedures.
Creativity. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians help mechanical engineers bring their plans and designs to life. This often requires helping the engineer to overcome problems that might not have been anticipated.
Detail oriented. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians must make precise measurements and keep accurate records for mechanical engineers.
Math skills. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.
Mechanical skills. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians must apply theory and instructions from engineers by making new components for industrial machinery or equipment. They may need to be able to operate machinery such as drill presses, grinders, and engine lathes.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) offers four levels of certification through its technician certification programs. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians can obtain certification in industrial instrumentation by passing an examination. In addition, an engineering technician's supervisor must verify the competency of the candidate for certification.
Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician Salaries[About this section] [More salary/earnings info] [To Top]
The median annual wage for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is $58,230. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $36,200, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $91,320.
The median annual wages for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Scientific research and development services | $62,720 |
| Computer and electronic product manufacturing | $60,820 |
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | $58,230 |
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | $57,720 |
| Machinery manufacturing | $56,850 |
Most mechanical engineering technologists and technicians work full time.
Job Outlook for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians[About this section] [To Top]
Employment of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is projected to grow 6 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 4,000 openings for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
See all engineering jobs.
Employment of Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Because mechanical engineering technologists and technicians are directly supervised by mechanical engineers, their employment growth will be driven by many of the same factors driving employment growth for mechanical engineers. These factors include demand for engineering services in the motor vehicle parts and machinery manufacturing industries.
Companies may contract out the work of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians to consulting firms, which should lead to employment growth in this industry. Contracting for this work allows companies to obtain engineering services at a lower cost than employing in-house technologists and technicians.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2020 | Projected Employment, 2030 | Change, 2020-30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians | 40,400 | 42,700 | 6 | 2,300 |
More Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician Information[About this section] [To Top]
For more information about general engineering education and career resources, visit
American Society for Engineering Education
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Technology Student Association
For information about accredited programs, visit
For information about certification, visit
The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET)
A portion of the information on this page is used by permission of the U.S. Department of Labor.