Architecture and Engineering
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.
MAY 2025 · OCCUPATIONAL WAGES
A wage reference for United States.
Published wage percentiles describe a distribution within the source occupation group. They provide context for a career decision; employer packages and job offers have their own terms.
Source wage group: Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
This wage group may include multiple detailed occupations. The figures are for the source group, which may be broader than Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians. They are not an exact-title, employer, experience or seniority match.
May 2025 · USD · United States. Annual and hourly figures are shown only when the source publishes them; neither is calculated from the other.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data, distributed through the O*NET® OnLine service.
Median annual wage$74,510USD per year · Published 50th percentile
Median hourly wage$35.82USD per hour · Published 50th percentile
Annual wage thresholds
USD per year
Hourly wage thresholds
USD per hour
| Percentile | Annual wage (USD/year) | Hourly wage (USD/hour) |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| 25th | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| 50th · Median | $74,510 | $35.82 |
| 75th | $88,110 | $42.36 |
| 90th | $106,050 | $50.99 |
“≥” means at least the published amount; “≤” means at most that amount. These are bounds, not exact values. “Not published” means the source did not provide that figure. Occupational wages follow the source definition and do not establish an employer’s base salary, equity or total compensation.
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THE WORK BEHIND THE TITLE
What this career involves.
Occupation definitions describe common work. Responsibilities and requirements vary by employer and specific job.
Selected title examples
Apparatus Engineering TechnologistAutomation Design CheckerBrinell TesterCertified Control Systems Technician (CCST)Computer-Aided Design DesignerDevelopment TechnicianElectrical Mechanical Maintenance TechnicianEngineering AideEngineering AnalystEngineering Data AnalystEngineering Drawings CheckerEngineering Laboratory Technician (Engineering Lab Technician)
Expand more title examples (36)
Engineering Technical AnalystEngineering Technician (Engineering Tech)Engineering TechnologistExperimental TechnicianGyroscope TechnicianGyroscopic Engineering TechnicianHeat Transfer TechnicianHydraulic TechnicianLaser TechnicianManufacturing Engineering Technician (Manufacturing Engineering Tech)Mechanical Assembly Technician (Mechanical Assembly Tech)Mechanical DesignerMechanical Engineering Technician (Mechanical Engineering Tech)Mechanical Engineering TechnologistMechanical InspectorMechanical Repair Technician (Mechanical Repair Tech)Mechanical Service SpecialistMechanical Service Technician (Mechanical Service Tech)Mechanical Technician (Mechanical Tech)Mechanical TechnologistMechanical Test Technician (Mechanical Test Tech)Motor TesterOperations AnalystOptomechanical TechnicianProcess AnalystProcess Engineering Technician (Process Engineering Tech)Process TechnicianProof TechnicianResearch and Development Technician (R and D Tech)Systems AnalystSystems Engineering AnalystTechnical AnalystTest Engineering AnalystTool AnalystTool Design CheckerTooling Engineering Technician
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.
Expand more tasks (24)
- Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.
- Analyze test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modify or adjust equipment to meet specifications.
- Record test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods.
- Prepare specifications, designs, or sketches for machines, components, or systems related to the generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy.
- Read dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical output and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance.
- Design molds, tools, dies, jigs, or fixtures for use in manufacturing processes.
- Review project instructions and specifications to identify, modify and plan requirements fabrication, assembly and testing.
- Design specialized or customized equipment, machines, or structures.
- Conduct failure analyses, document results, and recommend corrective actions.
- Set up and conduct tests of complete units and components under operational conditions to investigate proposals for improving equipment performance.
- Assist engineers to design, develop, test, or manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, or other equipment.
- Prepare layouts of machinery, tools, plants, or equipment.
- Prepare equipment inspection schedules, reliability schedules, work plans, or other records.
- Set up prototype and test apparatus and operate test controlling equipment to observe and record prototype test results.
- Evaluate tool drawing designs by measuring drawing dimensions and comparing with original specifications for form and function using engineering skills.
- Analyze energy requirements and distribution systems to maximize the use of intermittent or inflexible renewable energy sources, such as wind or nuclear.
- Prepare parts sketches and write work orders and purchase requests to be furnished by outside contractors.
- Estimate cost factors including labor and material for purchased and fabricated parts and costs for assembly, testing, or installing.
- Assist mechanical engineers in product testing through activities such as setting up instrumentation for automobile crash tests.
- Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs.
- Analyze or estimate production costs, such as labor, equipment, and plant space.
- Devise, fabricate, or assemble new or modified mechanical components for products such as industrial machinery or equipment, and measuring instruments.
- Discuss changes in design, method of manufacture and assembly, or drafting techniques and procedures with staff and coordinate corrections.
- Monitor, inspect, or test mechanical equipment.
Skills used in this work
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Operations Monitoring
- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Expand more skills (29)
- Writing
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Mathematics
- Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Quality Control Analysis
- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Systems Analysis
- Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Monitoring
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Systems Evaluation
- Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
- Time Management
- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Operation and Control
- Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Persuasion
- Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
- Science
- Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Service Orientation
- Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Troubleshooting
- Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- Equipment Selection
- Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
- Instructing
- Teaching others how to do something.
- Learning Strategies
- Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Negotiation
- Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
- Equipment Maintenance
- Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
- Operations Analysis
- Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
- Repairing
- Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
- Technology Design
- Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
- Management of Material Resources
- Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work.
- Programming
- Writing computer programs for various purposes.
- Management of Financial Resources
- Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
- Installation
- Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
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