# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-engineering-technologists-and-technicians
- SOC code: 17-3027.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $74,510 (10th percentile $48,400, 90th percentile $106,050)
- Projected growth: Slower than average, +1.3%
- Openings a year: 3,100
- Typical entry education: Associate's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RIC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 88 |
| Investigative (I) | 73 |
| Artistic (A) | 20 |
| Social (S) | 3 |
| Enterprising (E) | 1 |
| Conventional (C) | 63 |

## What you'd do

- Getting Information (importance 84/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 80/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 79/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 79/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 79/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 77/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 77/100)
- Processing Information (importance 76/100)
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (importance 75/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 73/100)

## Skills

Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Speaking, Operations Monitoring, Writing, Judgment and Decision Making, Mathematics, Quality Control Analysis

## Knowledge

Engineering and Technology, Mechanical, Design, Mathematics, English Language, Computers and Electronics, Production and Processing, Physics, Administrative, Administration and Management

## Also called

Apparatus Engineering Technologist, Automation Design Checker, Brinell Tester, Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST), Computer-Aided Design Designer, Development Technician, Electrical Mechanical Maintenance Technician, Engineering Aide, Engineering Analyst, Engineering Data Analyst

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1508) (CIP 1508, 319 colleges)
- [Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1511) (CIP 1511, 121 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [California State University Maritime Academy](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-maritime-academy-363) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $97,197 | $126,209 | $26,935 |
| [University of Massachusetts-Lowell](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-massachusetts-lowell-2953) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | not reported | $120,219 | not reported |
| [Metropolitan State University of Denver](https://www.collegesref.com/college/metropolitan-state-university-of-denver-1667) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $73,430 | $98,267 | $23,407 |
| [Wayne State University-Michigan](https://www.collegesref.com/college/wayne-state-university-michigan-3181) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $70,466 | $97,257 | not reported |
| [Farmingdale State College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/farmingdale-state-college-941) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $62,701 | $91,941 | $15,000 |
| [University of Maine Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-maine-main-campus-2938) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $71,830 | $91,879 | $22,000 |
| [California State Polytechnic University-Pomona](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona-362) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $72,141 | $91,230 | $16,815 |
| [Central Connecticut State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/central-connecticut-state-university-461) | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $77,570 | $90,472 | $25,500 |

## Related careers

- [Calibration Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/calibration-technologists-and-technicians): $67,820 median pay
- [Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronic-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $78,190 median pay
- [Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/aerospace-engineering-and-operations-technologists-and-technicians): $82,890 median pay
- [Robotics Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/robotics-technicians): $73,900 median pay
- [Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/industrial-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $66,120 median pay
- [Mechanical Drafters](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-drafters): $71,550 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.