SOC 17-2199.08

    Robotics Engineers

    Research, design, develop, or test robotic applications.

    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

    Robotics engineers research, design, develop, and test robotic applications. The career offers a median annual pay of $122,930, with opportunities for those who enjoy realistic, hands-on problem solving and technology.

    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 robotics engineers do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    Research, design, develop, or test robotic applications.

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

    What the work is like

    Robotics engineers spend their days working with computers to design, draft, and specify technical devices, parts, and equipment. They gather information, analyze data, and solve complex problems to build functioning robotic systems. This role requires a strong foundation in engineering, technology, physics, mathematics, and mechanical design. Engineers must think creatively to develop new applications while documenting their processes and updating their technical knowledge regularly.

    To succeed in this field, individuals need strong skills in critical thinking, active listening, systems analysis, and mathematics. The work appeals to people with realistic interests who enjoy practical, hands-on activities. Success in this role relies on work styles such as attention to detail, innovation, intellectual curiosity, and dependability. Engineers must also show perseverance and a tolerance for ambiguity when troubleshooting complex technical systems.

    How to get there

    Entering this career typically requires a bachelor's degree along with several years of related work experience. Students often major in general engineering, engineering physics, electrical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, or other engineering-related fields.

    While preparing for the field, individuals can earn certifications to demonstrate their skills. Available certifications include the Certified Industry 4.0 Associate - Fundamentals, Educational Robotics Training - CORE, Fundamentals of Robotics, Robotics in Manufacturing Fundamentals, and the SACA C-104 Certified Industry 4.0 Associate. Additionally, some states list licensing requirements for this profession.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for robotics engineers is $122,930, though this figure represents the broader group of all other engineers. The lowest 10% of earners in this group make less than $66,810, while the highest 10% earn more than $189,950.

    There are 154,070 people employed in this broader engineering category. Employment is projected to grow by 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. About 8,800 job openings are expected to become available each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    86 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    77 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    13 / 100
    Social (S)
    8 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    13 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    58 / 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
    94
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    91
    Getting Information
    88
    Thinking Creatively
    87
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    84
    Analyzing Data or Information
    83
    Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
    81
    Processing Information
    78
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    78
    Documenting/Recording Information
    76
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

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

    Knowledge

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

    Abilities

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

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Innovation
    • Dependability
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Cautiousness
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Adaptability
    • Integrity
    • Perseverance
    • Tolerance for Ambiguity

    Also called

    Algorithm Engineer · Automation Engineer · Autonomous Vehicle Design Engineer · Autonomy Engineer · Controls Engineer · Design Engineer · Factory Automations Engineer · Mechatronics Engineer · Research Engineer · Robot Operator

    Career pathway

    From your interests to robotics 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

      • Robotics 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 robotics 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 robotics 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 robotics engineers?

    People in this field are also called automation engineers, autonomous vehicle design engineers, controls engineers, mechatronics engineers, and research engineers.

    What college majors are relevant to this career?

    Students can prepare by majoring in general engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, or engineering physics.

    What is the job outlook for this profession?

    Employment is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, which is as fast as average. There are about 8,800 projected openings each year.

    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.