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Engineering

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

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 salary (BLS)

$74,510

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$48k – $106k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 2 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $99,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Associate degree

Plan my path to this →

How to qualify

Estimate

Cost to qualify

$8,175–$22,500

Time to qualify

2.2 yr

Renewal

—

  1. 1

    Associate degree (community college)

    Degree

    Two years at in-district rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $4,050/yr, plus ~$1,200/yr books & supplies.

    $8,000–$22,000 · 2 years source

  2. 2

    FE exam (optional — PE track)

    Certification

    The Fundamentals of Engineering exam is the first step toward a PE license; many engineering roles never need it.

    $175–$500 · 2 months source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

    Entry / Junior

    $48,400

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

    Established

    $74,510

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

    Senior

    $90,280

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.
  • •Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.
  • •Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Engineering

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.