Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Career, Salary and Skills
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $74,510 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 36,190. Wage data is published for 188 locations.
Occupation description
Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
O*NET code
17-3027.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$74,510
Hourly median
$35.82
Employment
36,190
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
$48,400
10th
$59,510
25th
$74,510
Median
$88,110
75th
$106,050
90th
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.75 | 4.25 |
| Active Listening | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Speaking | 3.62 | 3.75 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.62 | 3.50 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.50 | 3.25 |
| Writing | 3.50 | 3.62 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.38 | 3.38 |
| Mathematics | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.25 | 3.25 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress.
- Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.
- Analyze or estimate production costs, such as labor, equipment, and plant space.
Technology
- CNC Mastercam
- Ansys Fluent
- ANSYS Mechanical
- ANSYS simulation software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk AutoCAD Mechanical
- Autodesk Inventor
- Autodesk Revit
- Bentley MicroStation
- C++
- Computerized numerical control CNC programming software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary in MIMedian $68,170 · Employment 4,930
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary in CAMedian $87,390 · Employment 3,660
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary in Detroit, MIMedian $69,490 · Employment 3,140
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary in TXMedian $76,610 · Employment 2,140
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary in OHMedian $78,500 · Employment 1,800
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary in PAMedian $70,820 · Employment 1,620
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary in INMedian $77,220 · Employment 1,500
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary in MAMedian $62,390 · Employment 1,310
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary in SCMedian $69,580 · Employment 1,290
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $79,080 · Employment 1,220
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary in NCMedian $62,360 · Employment 1,190
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary in ILMedian $77,020 · Employment 1,170
Related careers
- Software DevelopersNational median $135,980
- Aerospace EngineersNational median $134,960
- Electrical EngineersNational median $120,630
- Electrical and Electronics DraftersNational median $76,870
- Manufacturing EngineersNational median $102,440
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial EquipmentNational median $74,090
- Electronics Engineers, Except ComputerNational median $130,220
- Industrial EngineersNational median $102,440
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.