Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Architecture and Engineering · SOC 17-3027 · O*NET 17-3027.00
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 fall under the Architecture and Engineering category in the U.S. occupational classification. Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn a median salary of $68,730 per year, ranking in the top 34% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 0.0% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do mechanical engineering technologists and technicians earn?
The median annual wage for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is $68,730. That puts mechanical engineering technologists and technicians at #276 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $46,940 |
| 25th percentile | $57,330 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $68,730 |
| 75th percentile | $82,980 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,890 |
| Median hourly wage | $33.04/hr |
Is mechanical engineering technologists and technicians a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is 0.0%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 38K positions in 2024 to 38K in 2034, a net change of 0K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.
What do mechanical engineering technologists and technicians do every day?
According to O*NET task surveys of working mechanical engineering technologists and technicians, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.
- 1.Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.
- 2.Analyze test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modify or adjust equipment to meet specifications.
- 3.Prepare specifications, designs, or sketches for machines, components, or systems related to the generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy.
- 4.Conduct failure analyses, document results, and recommend corrective actions.
- 5.Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress.
- 6.Review project instructions and specifications to identify, modify and plan requirements fabrication, assembly and testing.
- 7.Design specialized or customized equipment, machines, or structures.
- 8.Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.
Top skills for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.
What education does my child need to become mechanical engineering technologists and technician?
The standard path into mechanical engineering technologists and technicians begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Based on O*NET surveys of incumbents — what people in this job actually have, not what employers list as required.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
What is the median salary for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians?
The median annual salary for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is $68,730 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is mechanical engineering technologists and technicians a growing career?
BLS projects 0.0% growth for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians from 2024 through 2034, which is flat growth projected to grow slower than the US average.
What education does my child need to become mechanical engineering technologists and technician?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to mechanical engineering technologists and technicians?
Related occupations within the Architecture and Engineering category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.