Career-PathGPS
← All education and training
Career

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Typical education: Associate degreeHigh pressure

What they do

Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $74,510 Median per year · $35.82/hr Most earn $48,400–$106,050

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.
  • Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs.
  • Design specialized or customized equipment, machines, or structures.
  • Prepare layouts of machinery, tools, plants, or equipment.
  • Read dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical output and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance.
  • Prepare parts sketches and write work orders and purchase requests to be furnished by outside contractors.

Job outlook

United States
1% more jobs by 2035, slower than average · about 3,100 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Engineering services16.8%
  • Machinery manufacturing10.2%
  • Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences7.4%
  • Motor vehicle parts manufacturing5.0%
  • Aerospace product and parts manufacturing4.0%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Associate degreeExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

This career usually isn't an entry-level job straight out of school. Most people earn an associate degree, then spend roughly 2 to 4 years in related technical work before they're doing this job on their own. Hands-on experience counts a lot.

  1. High school diploma with strong math and science

    4 years

    Math, physics, and drafting or shop classes build the foundation you need for engineering technology courses.

  2. Associate degree in mechanical engineering technology

    2 years

    This two-year program teaches how engineering principles apply to machines, testing, and design, which prepares you for technical work.

  3. Mechanical Drafter

    2-4 years

    Working as a drafter lets you learn real design drawings and CAD software while you see how engineers' designs get built and modified.

  4. Mechanical Engineering Technologist or Technician

    Career entry point

    You now apply engineering theory to develop, test, and adjust machinery under the direction of engineers or physical scientists.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Mechanical Engineering Technician

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on more complex testing and design work, often with less supervision, and may train newer technicians.

  2. Mechanical Engineer

    Often several years of technician work plus a bachelor's degree of experience first

    Moving into engineering usually means earning a bachelor's degree, which lets you lead design projects and make more of the engineering decisions yourself.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and physicsThese classes give you the math and science that mechanical engineering technology courses build on.
  • Take a drafting, CAD, or technology classEarly exposure to computer-aided design shows you whether you enjoy designing and drawing machine parts.
  • Join a robotics, STEM, or technology student clubBuilding and testing projects with a team gives you hands-on practice and something to talk about later.
  • Get a part-time or summer job in a shop, warehouse, or hardware storeWorking around tools and equipment helps you learn how machines are built, used, and repaired.

In college

  • Enroll in a mechanical engineering technology associate programLook for a program that includes labs, CAD, and hands-on machine work, since that's what employers expect from technicians.
  • Complete an internship or co-op with a manufacturer or engineering firmReal work experience often counts as the 2 to 4 years of related experience that this career usually needs.
  • Work a campus job in a machine shop, makerspace, or engineering labHelping run equipment and testing projects builds practical skills and gives you a reference from people who know your work.
  • Join an engineering or technology student organizationClubs connect you with professionals and internship leads and help you practice teamwork and presenting.
  • Earn a CAD or software certificationA certificate in a common CAD program shows employers you can use the tools they rely on.

Tips for getting started

  • Learn CAD software and basic programming early, since employers often look for these skills when hiring technicians and drafters.
  • Look for summer jobs, co-ops, or internships at manufacturers, machine shops, or labs, because hands-on experience is what moves you into this career.
  • Keep a simple portfolio of projects, test results, or designs you've made, so you can show what you can do in interviews.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

Related careers