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Mechanical engineering technologist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$74,510median pay per year, or $35.82 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $48,400lowest 10% earn less
  2. $59,51025th percentile
  3. $74,510median
  4. $88,11075th percentile
  5. $106,050top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

A mechanical engineering technologist or technician had a median pay of $74,510 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 1.3% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+1.3%[2]
Openings per year
3,100[6]
Typical entry education
Associate's degree[7]

How much do mechanical engineering technologists make?

The median pay for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians was $74,510 a year, or $35.82 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $76,380 a year, or $36.72 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[5].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $48,400, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $59,510[4]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $88,110, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $106,050[4]. Hourly, those boundaries were $23.27, $28.61, $42.36 and $50.99[9].

BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10]. The wage data covers only workers paid a wage or salary, not the self-employed, and it leaves out benefits[11]. Only 1.2% of workers in this group were self-employed in 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

Louisiana had the highest median at $102,800 a year, followed by New Mexico at $97,560 and Missouri at $92,150[13]. West Virginia had the lowest published median, $47,660[13].

Michigan had the most jobs, 4,930[14]. California (3,660), Texas (2,140), Ohio (1,800) and Pennsylvania (1,620) followed[14]. Michigan's median was $68,170[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA had the highest median at $105,160[15]. Peoria, IL ($102,610) and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($100,620) came next[15]. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI had the most jobs, 3,140, with a median of $69,490[16].

Show median pay in 44 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Louisiana[13]$102,800270
New Mexico$97,560320
Missouri$92,150800
California$87,3903,660
Connecticut$82,660350
Rhode Island$81,60030
Oregon$80,840260
Nebraska$80,050250
Washington$79,410890
Maryland$79,180640
Ohio$78,5001,800
New York$78,2101,140
Kentucky$77,990520
Delaware$77,82050
Indiana$77,2201,500
Colorado$77,090330
Illinois$77,0201,170
Maine$76,790220
Texas$76,6102,140
North Dakota$76,44090
Virginia$75,650670
Georgia$73,870560
Nevada$72,950420
Arizona$72,090730
Iowa$71,670500
Pennsylvania$70,8201,620
Mississippi$70,570220
South Carolina$69,5801,290
Idaho$68,31030
Michigan$68,1704,930
Wisconsin$67,850900
New Hampshire$66,740570
New Jersey$65,180260
Minnesota$63,990400
Massachusetts$62,3901,310
North Carolina$62,3601,190
Tennessee$62,270580
Utah$61,870900
Oklahoma$61,480490
Alabama$60,350400
Florida$59,720540
Kansas$55,390410
South Dakota$53,670110
West Virginia$47,660200

How to become a mechanical engineering technologist

BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry education. It lists no related work experience and no on-the-job training as typical[7]. The steps:

Employers may prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree or a degree from an accredited program[18]. Technicians who get more education or certification may advance to technologist roles[20].

In an O*NET survey of 31 workers, 37% said a bachelor's degree was required, 33% a post-secondary certificate and 14% an associate's degree[21]. The facts do not say how long the path takes.

What mechanical engineering technologists do

These workers use mechanical engineering principles to change, build, test or adjust machinery and equipment, working under engineering staff or physical scientists[22]. O*NET lists tasks such as:

BLS names communication, attention to detail, math, mechanical and problem-solving skills as important qualities[24][25][26][27][28].

Where they work

Architectural, engineering and related services was the largest employer group in 2025, with 20% of workers[29]. Some workers, particularly those in factories, face hazards from equipment, chemicals or toxic materials, though the risk of injury or illness is low when they follow procedures[30]. BLS says most work full time[31].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 1.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 36,900 to 37,400 jobs[2]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[3]. These counts include the self-employed[2].

About 3,100 openings are projected each year[6]. These include jobs left by people who retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, about 3% of workers leave the labor force and 5.2% move to another occupation[32]. BLS says better computer-aided design software and related tools let these workers do routine tasks more efficiently, which lowers their share of employment[33].

Is it a good fit?

The median pay is above the all-occupation median, and the usual entry requirement is an associate's degree[1][5][7]. Growth is projected below average, though openings still arise each year[2][3][6]. Pay differs by place, from a state median of $102,800 in Louisiana to $47,660 in West Virginia[13]. The facts do not say what training costs, so check that separately.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[34].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a mechanical engineering technologist make an hour?
The median was $35.82 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $36.72[1][8].
What degree do you need to be a mechanical engineering technologist?
BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry education[7]. A certificate from a community college or vocational-technical school is also named[18].
Is mechanical engineering technology in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 1.3% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 3,100 openings a year[2][3][6].
What is the highest paying state for mechanical engineering technologists?
Louisiana, with a median of $102,800 a year[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians in the US was $74,510 per year and $35.82 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians is projected to grow 1.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 36,900 to 37,400 jobs (a change of +500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians: 10th percentile $48,400, 25th percentile $59,510, 75th percentile $88,110, 90th percentile $106,050. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 3,100 openings for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians: education needed for entry: Associate's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians was $76,380 per year and $36.72 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians: 10th percentile $23.27, 25th percentile $28.61, 75th percentile $42.36, 90th percentile $50.99. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 1.2% of Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians jobs: Michigan 4,930; California 3,660; Texas 2,140; Ohio 1,800; Pennsylvania 1,620. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA $105,160; Peoria, IL $102,610; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $100,620; Kansas City, MO-KS $100,150; Albuquerque, NM $98,440; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $96,680; Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $96,610; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $91,450. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians jobs: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 3,140 (median $69,490); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,220 (median $79,080); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 1,090 (median $62,390); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 1,030 (median $91,450); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 790 (median $100,620); Kansas City, MO-KS 600 (median $100,150). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 17-3027.00 survey of workers (31 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 37%, Post-Secondary Certificate 33%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 14%, Some College Courses 9%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 8% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  22. O*NET description of Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET task list for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in 2025: Architectural, engineering, and related services 20%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians: 3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians: Productivity change - share decreases as improvements in computer-aided design software, knowledge-based systems, and related technologies allow these workers to perform routine tasks more efficiently. BLS Employment Projections
  34. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the 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. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.