SOC 17-2199.05

    Mechatronics Engineers

    Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control.

    Median pay
    $122,930
    Growth
    +3.7%
    As fast as average
    Openings a year
    8,800
    Typical education
    Bachelor's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections · figures for the broader BLS group "Engineers, all other"

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $66,810
    Median
    $122,930
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $189,950
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    154,070 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Mechatronics engineers research, design, and test smart devices, automation, and intelligent systems. This career offers a median annual pay of $122,930, with earnings ranging from under $66,810 to over $189,950.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What mechatronics engineers do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control.

    Most need a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.

    What the work is like

    People in this career focus on designing and developing automated systems and technical devices. On a daily basis, these professionals spend their time working with computers, gathering information, and drafting technical layouts. They solve complex problems and make critical decisions to monitor processes and materials. Creative thinking is essential as they specify parts and equipment for smart systems. They also document their work and communicate regularly with supervisors and peers.

    Succeeding in this field requires strong skills in mathematics, critical thinking, and active listening. Workers must possess deep knowledge in engineering, technology, physics, and mechanical systems. Since their interest area is highly realistic, they enjoy hands-on work with physical objects. Important work styles for this role include attention to detail, innovation, dependability, and intellectual curiosity. They must also show cautiousness and perseverance when testing complex electronic and mechanical controls.

    How to get there

    To enter this field, most individuals need a bachelor's degree along with several years of related work experience. Students typically major in general engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, engineering physics, or other engineering-related fields.

    While preparing for the field, candidates can pursue specialized certifications to demonstrate their skills. Examples include the Advanced Mechatronics - Applied Industry 4.0 certification and the Certified Industry 4.0 Associate - Fundamentals. Other options include PMMI Mechatronics certifications in industrial electricity, mechanical components, and programmable logic controllers. Additionally, some states list a license for this type of engineering work.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for this career is $122,930. The lowest 10% of earners make less than $66,810, while the highest 10% earn more than $189,950. These wage figures are for the broader BLS group categorized as "Engineers, all other."

    There are 154,070 people employed in this field. Employment is projected to grow by 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in 8,800 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    78 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    76 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    24 / 100
    Social (S)
    10 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    12 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    64 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code RIC. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Working with Computers
    98
    Getting Information
    91
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    88
    Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
    85
    Documenting/Recording Information
    81
    Thinking Creatively
    80
    Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    74
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    73
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    72
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    71
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Critical Thinking
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Writing
    • Active Listening
    • Speaking
    • Mathematics
    • Monitoring
    • Systems Evaluation

    Knowledge

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Design
    • Production and Processing
    • Mechanical
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Computers and Electronics
    • English Language
    • Education and Training
    • Public Safety and Security

    Abilities

    • Oral Comprehension
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Written Comprehension
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Oral Expression
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Written Expression
    • Information Ordering
    • Near Vision
    • Fluency of Ideas

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Innovation
    • Dependability
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Cautiousness
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Integrity
    • Adaptability
    • Perseverance
    • Self-Confidence

    Also called

    Applications Engineer · Automation Application Engineer · Automation Designer · Automation Engineer · Control Integration Engineer · Control Systems Engineer · Controls Engineering Specialist · Design Engineer (Design Eng) · Electro-Mechanical Engineer · Electro-Mechanical Systems Control Engineer

    Career pathway

    From your interests to mechatronics engineers

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Mechatronics Engineers$122,930 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Carnegie Mellon University logo
      Carnegie Mellon University

      Pittsburgh, PA · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $150,074
      4 yrs after
      $250,168
      Median debt
      $19,500
    2. 2University of California-Berkeley CAL logo
      University of California-Berkeley CAL

      Berkeley, CA · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $154,713
      4 yrs after
      $200,543
      Median debt
      $13,548
    3. 3Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT logo
      Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT

      Cambridge, MA · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $150,863
      4 yrs after
      $161,118
      Median debt
      $15,000
    4. 4Cornell University-New York logo
      Cornell University-New York

      Ithaca, NY · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $110,607
      4 yrs after
      $147,241
      Median debt
      $12,750
    5. 5The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus logo
      The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus

      Austin, TX · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $111,942
      4 yrs after
      $146,003
      Median debt
      $18,118
    6. 6University of Virginia-Main Campus UVA logo
      University of Virginia-Main Campus UVA

      Charlottesville, VA · Systems Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $96,168
      4 yrs after
      $144,830
      Median debt
      $12,000
    7. 7Columbia University in the City of New York logo
      Columbia University in the City of New York

      New York, NY · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $143,332
      Median debt
      Not reported
    8. 8
      Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

      New York, NY · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $139,068
      Median debt
      Not reported

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What mechatronics engineers may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work. Showing 12 of 32.

    • Applied Engineering
    • Architectural Engineering
    • Assistive/Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering
    • Biochemical Engineering
    • Biological/Biosystems Engineering
    • Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
    • Construction Engineering
    • Electrical and Computer Engineering
    • Electromechanical Engineering
    • Energy Systems Engineering, General
    • Energy Systems Engineering, Other
    • Engineering Chemistry

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    49 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about mechatronics engineers

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for mechatronics engineers?

    People in this field are also called automation engineers, control systems engineers, and electro-mechanical engineers. Other common titles include design engineer, applications engineer, and controls engineering specialist.

    What college majors are related to this career?

    Students can prepare for this career by majoring in general engineering, civil engineering, or chemical engineering. Other relevant majors include electrical, electronics, and communications engineering, as well as rehabilitation and therapeutic professions.

    What are the main certifications available for this profession?

    Professionals can earn certifications such as the Advanced Mechatronics - Applied Industry 4.0 or the Certified Industry 4.0 Associate. There are also PMMI Mechatronics certifications covering mechanical components, industrial electricity, and programmable logic controllers.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    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.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.