### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			mechanical engineering technicians imageMechanical engineering technicians plan, produce, and assemble new or changed mechanical parts for products, such as industrial machinery or equipment.							
						Quick Facts:     Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians2023     Median Pay
            						$64,020     per year
										$30.78     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Associate's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    41,100Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    1% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    300What Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Do
                                                
                        
                        
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture machines and other devices.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians work primarily in factories or in research and development labs. Most work full time.
            
                                                How to Become a Mechanical Engineering Technologist or Technician
                                                
                        
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree or other postsecondary training to enter the occupation.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians was $64,020 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is projected to show little or no change							 from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite  limited  employment growth, about 3,700 openings for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Most 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.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about mechanical engineering technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Do 
            

			Mechanical engineering techniciansMechanical engineering technicians plan the assembly process to be used in industrial settings.			
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture tools, engines, machines, and other devices. They may make sketches and rough layouts, record and analyze data, and report their findings.
Duties
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians typically do the following:
Evaluate specifications in design drawings prior to adding or replacing tools
Prepare layouts and drawings of the assembly process and parts to be made, usually using three-dimensional design software
Recommend cost-effective changes in equipment design to improve reliability and safety
Review instructions and blueprints in order to ensure that project plans follow test specifications and procedures and meet objectives
Plan, produce, and assemble mechanical parts for products, such as industrial 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 recommend changes, if needed, in products or test methods
Make calculations for business estimates, such as of labor costs and equipment lifespanMechanical engineering technicians typically install, troubleshoot, and maintain designs created by engineers. They may work under the direction of engineers or engineering technologists.
Mechanical engineering technologists typically help engineers improve designs or incorporate new technology. They may be team leaders, instructing mechanical engineering technicians on installing equipment, systems, or structures.
Some mechanical engineering technologists and technicians test and inspect machines and equipment or work with engineers to eliminate production problems. For example, they may help test products by setting up instruments for vehicle crash tests.
 Work Environment
			Mechanical engineering techniciansBecause mechanical engineering technicians work with machines of all types, they must take safety precautions in their workspace.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians held about 41,100 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians were as follows:
        Architectural, engineering, and related services
                21%Machinery manufacturing
                13Scientific research and development services
                11Transportation equipment manufacturing
                9Computer and electronic product manufacturing
                7Some mechanical engineering technologists and technicians, particularly those working in factories, are exposed to hazards from equipment, chemicals, or toxic materials. However, their risk of injury or illness is low if they follow procedures.
Work Schedules
Most mechanical engineering technologists and technicians work full time.
 How to Become a Mechanical Engineering Technologist or Technician

			Mechanical engineering techniciansMechanical engineering technicians help mechanical engineers manufacture industrial machinery and other equipment.			
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree or other postsecondary training to enter the occupation.
Education
High school students interested in becoming a mechanical engineering technologist or technician should take classes in math, science, and computer science.
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree or a certificate from a community college or vocational–technical school. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have completed a bachelor’s degree or whose programs are accredited by an organization such as ABET.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) offers optional credentials through its technician certification programs. For example, mechanical engineering technologists and technicians who examine water-based fire protection systems may obtain certification in fire sprinkler layout or fire sprinkler inspection and testing. An engineering technologist’s or technician’s supervisor usually must verify the candidate’s performance competency as part of the certification process.
Advancement
Technicians who obtain appropriate education or certification may advance to become technologists.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians must be able to clearly explain, both orally and in writing, the need for changes in designs or test procedures.
***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.
***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.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians help mechanical engineers bring their plans and designs to life. This may require helping the engineer overcome problems that emerge throughout development or manufacturing.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Mechanical Engineering Technologists and TechniciansMedian annual wages, May 2023Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians$64,020  Drafters, engineering technicians, and mapping technicians$63,100  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians was $64,020 in May 2023. 


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 $44,110, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $96,740.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Transportation equipment manufacturing
                $72,220Architectural, engineering, and related services
                65,550Computer and electronic product manufacturing
                65,530Scientific research and development services
                62,740Machinery manufacturing
                62,520Most mechanical engineering technologists and technicians work full time.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               Mechanical Engineering Technologists and TechniciansPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Total, all occupations3%  Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians1%  Drafters, engineering technicians, and mapping technicians1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is projected to show little or no change				 from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite  limited  employment growth, about 3,700 openings for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Most 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.
			Employment
	
			
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians will continue to be needed to help engineers plan for and design increasingly complex mechanical products, equipment, and systems. However, automation of routine engineering and design tasks also may reduce the need for workers in this occupation.
			

                        Employment projections data for     mechanical engineering technologists and technicians, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians**
			17-3027
			41,100
			41,400
			1
			300
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Calibration Technologists and Technicians**
            Calibration technologists and technicians inspect, adjust, and test measurement devices against standards, such as those used in manufacturing, healthcare, and other industries.
            Associate's degree
            $62,790**Drafters**
            Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings.
            Associate's degree
            $62,530**Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians**
            Industrial engineering technologists and technicians help engineers solve problems affecting manufacturing layout or production.
            Associate's degree
            $62,610**Machinists and Tool and Die Makers**
            Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate equipment to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.
            See How to Become One
            $53,180**Mechanical Engineers**
            Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices.
            Bachelor's degree
            $99,510
 Contacts for More Information
								
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
ABET
For information about certification, visit
The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET)

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Automotive Engineering TechniciansMechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mechanical-engineering-technicians.htm (visited *May 16, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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