Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
SOC: 17-3027 O*NET: 17-3027.00
Median Salary
$68,730
per year
Job Growth
➡️ N/A
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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 does a Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$46,940
10th percentile
Early Career
$57,330
25th percentile
Median
$68,730
50th percentile
Experienced
$82,980
75th percentile
Top Earners
$100,890
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$46,940
25th
$57,330
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$68,730
Mean: $72,450
75th
$82,980
90th
$100,890
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $53,950 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $57,330 and $82,980
- •Salary spread is 37.3% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 37,450 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:38,300
Top Industries
Manufacturing51.5%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services27.4%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services27.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:0%
Annual Openings:3,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)38,300
Current
2034 (Projected)38,300
0%
0
Employment Change
0%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 46 locations
Michigan
5,470 jobs$63,1305.13x
California
3,300 jobs$82,2100.75x
Pennsylvania
2,100 jobs$61,5501.44x
Ohio
1,910 jobs$67,5101.43x
Texas
1,810 jobs$74,3300.54x
Indiana
1,750 jobs$83,2002.26x
Illinois
1,470 jobs$74,0101.00x
Wisconsin
1,460 jobs$66,1502.05x
New York
1,390 jobs$75,6800.60x
Utah
1,180 jobs$60,8302.85x
Washington
1,040 jobs$73,9801.21x
North Carolina
1,010 jobs$62,7600.85x
South Carolina
910 jobs$64,0101.64x
Maryland
800 jobs$76,8901.20x
Florida
750 jobs$64,8100.32x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Complex Problem Solving
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Operations Monitoring
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Systems Analysis
46%
#10
Quality Control Analysis
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Systems Analysis
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate70%
5 shared skills
Actuaries67%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Engineers67%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Inspectors67%
5 shared skills
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Operations Monitoring
- →Writing
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Complex Problem Solving
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
The MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk Revit
🔥 Hot TechBentley MicroStation
🔥 Hot TechDassault Systemes SolidWorks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visual Basic
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechC++
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
The MathWorks MATLAB
Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk Revit
Bentley MicroStation
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Visual Basic
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
C++
Microsoft Office software
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)General Responsibilities (5)Planning & Development (9)Operations & Execution (2)Analysis & Evaluation (2)
1
Prepare parts sketches and write work orders and purchase requests to be furnished by outside contractors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Review project instructions and specifications to identify, modify and plan requirements fabrication, assembly and testing.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Set up and conduct tests of complete units and components under operational conditions to investigate proposals for improving equipment performance.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution88% perform92%
6
Analyze test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modify or adjust equipment to meet specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Evaluate tool drawing designs by measuring drawing dimensions and comparing with original specifications for form and function using engineering skills.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution79% perform86%
9
Record test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Read dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical output and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians professionals typically have a RIC Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.40
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.07
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.01
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.92
Persistence
ImportantPersistence
Importance Level3.81
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.81
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.4
Analytical Thinking
4.1
Dependability
4.0
Initiative
3.9
Persistence
3.8
Integrity
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
Cooperation
3.7
Achievement/Effort
3.6
Independence
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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