Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Science, Technology, Engineering and MathematicsO*NET 17-3027.00United States
Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
- Median annual earnings
- $74,202
- Projected change
- +2.1%
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Employment
- 36.95K jobs
50th percentile, United States
2025 to 2035
36.5% of the workforce
Growing to 37.74K by 2035
Explore this career by location
Compare nationwide estimates with state or county job-market data.
Showing United States
Loading available locations…
Build the skills
ASU learning related to this career
These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.
Loading related ASU learning
The work
What mechanical engineering technologists and technicians do
Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.
- 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.
- Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation.
- Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.
- 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.
- Prepare specifications, designs, or sketches for machines, components, or systems related to the generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy.
- Record test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods.
- Design molds, tools, dies, jigs, or fixtures for use in manufacturing processes.
- Read dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical output and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance.
- Review project instructions and specifications to identify, modify and plan requirements fabrication, assembly and testing.
- Conduct failure analyses, document results, and recommend corrective actions.
- Design specialized or customized equipment, machines, or structures.
- Set up and conduct tests of complete units and components under operational conditions to investigate proposals for improving equipment performance.
- Assist engineers to design, develop, test, or manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, or other equipment.
- Prepare layouts of machinery, tools, plants, or equipment.
- Prepare equipment inspection schedules, reliability schedules, work plans, or other records.
Pay and outlook
What the job pays and where it is heading
Annual earnings range
Reported earnings by percentile, United States
- 10th percentile
- $47,884
- 25th percentile
- $59,007
- 50th percentile
- $74,202
- 75th percentile
- $88,272
- 90th percentile
- $108,233
The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $74,202 and half earn less.
Employment outlook
2025 to 2035 projection
+2.1%average or slower
202536,951 jobs
2035 projected37,739 jobs
788 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.
Preparation
Education levels
What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.
- Bachelor's degree
- 36.5%
- Certificate
- 32.8%
- Associate degree
- 14.1%
- Some college
- 8.8%
- High school diploma or less
- 7.8%
Skills
Skills employers ask for
Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.
How the work gets done
Core competencies
Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Writing
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Operations Monitoring
- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Mathematics
- Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Systems Analysis
- Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Quality Control Analysis
- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Systems Evaluation
- Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
- Time Management
- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Monitoring
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Science
- Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Operation and Control
- Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Persuasion
- Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
In the market
Job titles and employers
Recent job postings in United StatesCommon job titles
- 01Mechanical Technicians1,190 postings
- 02Mechanical Engineering Technicians258 postings
- 03Mechanical Engineers163 postings
- 04Principal Mechanical Engineers93 postings
- 05Electromechanical Technicians29 postings
- 06Mechanical Piping Designers18 postings
- 07Mechanical Product Engineers18 postings
- 08Construction Mechanics11 postings
- 09Mechanical Engineering Interns11 postings
- 10Lead Mechanical Engineers10 postings
- 11Opto-Mechanical Engineers10 postings
- 12Mechanical Design Engineers9 postings
- 13Mechanical Piping Engineers9 postings
- 14Mechanical Design Technicians8 postings
- 15Mechanical Designers7 postings
- 16Mechanical/Electrical Engineers7 postings
- 17Mechanical Integrity Engineers6 postings
- 18Mechanical Test Technicians6 postings
- 19Mechanical Engineering Managers5 postings
- 20Mechanical Equipment Engineers5 postings
Top employers
- 01Aerotek103 postings
- 02Northrop Grumman96 postings
- 03Actalent58 postings
- 04Lincoln Electric41 postings
- 05Applied Materials38 postings
- 06Black & Veatch34 postings
- 07Element Materials Technology28 postings
- 08Amazon26 postings
- 09Kelly Services26 postings
- 10Cummins25 postings
- 11ManpowerGroup21 postings
- 12Everforth Apex20 postings
- 13Enviva Lp18 postings
- 14Leidos18 postings
- 15Eaton Corporation17 postings
- 16Carstar16 postings
- 17Randstad14 postings
- 18TC Energy14 postings
- 19Huntington Ingalls Industries13 postings
- 20Schlumberger13 postings
Keep looking