Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree or other postsecondary training to enter the occupation. PayThe median annual wage for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians was $74,510 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 3,100 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.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians was $74,510 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 3,100 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.
Job Outlook
Employment of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 3,100 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 They 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 $74,510 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 3,100 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.
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 $74,510 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is projected to grow 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 3,100 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.
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.
More Information
Learn more about mechanical engineering technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.