Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Associate's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians support mechanical engineering work, drawing on technical skills, applied mathematics, and problem solving. National employment stands at 38,000, with 3,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing replacement and hiring needs even with flat projected growth of 0.0%. The national median annual salary of $68,730 places this career in a solid earning range for technical roles that typically require an associate’s degree. The role calls for strengths in mechanical knowledge, science, and computers and information technology, combined with critical and analytical thinking and strong attention to detail. Fine motor abilities and creativity and innovation also appear as important, reflecting the hands-on and problem-solving nature of this path. For students and career changers seeking a technical, application-focused role within the mechanical field, this occupation offers a structured entry route, clear skill profile, and a variety of geographic options, from large metro areas like San Jose and New York to opportunities across multiple states including California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington.
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians earn a national median annual salary of $68,730. Pay varies significantly by location. Among the top states, California reports a median salary of $87,390, while Washington is at $79,410, New York at $78,210, and Colorado at $77,090. Massachusetts, at $62,390, sits below the national median. At the metro level, salaries in some areas are notably higher. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA shows a median salary of $100,620, and San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA reports $96,680. New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ lists $73,400, while Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV is at $77,480, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH matches the Massachusetts state figure of $62,390. These differences highlight the importance of location choice when considering earning potential in this field.
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians have national employment of 38,000, with projected employment growth of 0.0%. While overall growth is flat, the field still anticipates 3,000 annual openings. This combination suggests that much of the hiring is likely tied to turnover, retirements, and job changes rather than net expansion in total employment. For individuals entering the field, the steady presence of annual openings indicates that opportunities to start or advance a career continue to exist even without projected numerical growth. Because the projection does not show an increase or decrease, planning a career path in this occupation centers more on understanding location differences, salary variations, and personal fit with the technical and analytical skill demands, rather than expecting major shifts in the number of roles nationwide over the projection period.
Location choice plays a major role in opportunity and pay for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians. At the state level, California stands out with an opportunity score of 67.38, median salary of $87,390, and employment of 3,660. Massachusetts and New York also rank highly, with opportunity scores around 65–66, though Massachusetts offers a lower median salary of $62,390 compared with New York’s $78,210. Colorado and Washington post mid-50s opportunity scores, with Washington’s median salary at $79,410 and employment of 890, while Colorado shows $77,090 and 330 jobs. Among metro areas, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ have the highest opportunity scores, both above 77. San Jose and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA offer particularly high median salaries of $96,680 and $100,620, respectively, while Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH combines a strong opportunity score with a more moderate median salary of $62,390 but higher employment of 1,090.
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians typically enter the field with an associate’s degree. This educational level aligns with the occupation’s emphasis on applied technical skills rather than extended theoretical study. Success in this career depends on a combination of strong mathematics and science abilities, mechanical understanding, and comfort with computers and information technology. The role also calls for being detail oriented and having fine motor skills, underscoring the importance of precision and hands-on work. Critical and analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making, and solid writing and reading skills are also key, supporting tasks that involve interpreting information and communicating results. Creativity and innovation appear as important as well, reflecting the need to contribute to technical solutions. For students planning their education, programs that build these specific competencies provide a direct pathway into this occupation’s typical qualification profile.
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