STEM Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians earn $73,900 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $59,780 and $88,540. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.

About Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

This page sets out what the federal data says about working as a electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians: what the job pays, how fast it is growing, and what it takes to get in. Most people arrive through a degree in Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians and what it leads to, though it is not the only route.

Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.


Median Wage
$73,900
Employed Nationally
16K
Openings / Year
1,400
Entry Education
Associate's degree
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Also known as:

Automation Technician (Automation Tech) Automation Test Specialist Calibration Technician Certified Control Systems Technician Commercial Drone Operator

How Much Do Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians Make?

Most electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians take home around $73,900 a year, above what most college graduates make. Half earn somewhere between $59,780 and $88,540, so where you land depends a lot on employer, specialty and city. A solid living in most parts of the country. Source: BLS.

A wage on its own says nothing about whether the degree behind it pays for itself, which is a question of lifetime earnings set against the total cost of getting there.

$73,900
National Median (Annual)

Above the national median for college graduates.

$60K–$89K
Middle 50% Range

25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.


Earnings Range

What Do Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians Do?

This is what the job actually looks like on a Tuesday: 5 core activities and 5 skills the work depends on. Read it before the salary, because pay matters less than whether you would want to spend your days doing this. Source: O*NET.

What You'll Do

  • Test performance of electromechanical assemblies, using test instruments such as oscilloscopes, electronic voltmeters, or bridges.
  • Install or program computer hardware or machine or instrumentation software in microprocessor-based systems.
  • Read blueprints, schematics, diagrams, or technical orders to determine methods and sequences of assembly.
  • Modify, maintain, or repair electrical, electronic, or mechanical components, equipment, or systems to ensure proper functioning.
  • Inspect parts for surface defects.

Core Skills Employers Look For

Operations Monitoring Troubleshooting Repairing Equipment Maintenance Critical Thinking

Who Thrives Here

R
Realistic

Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.

R
Realistic

Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.

C
Conventional

Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.

Where Do Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians Work?

What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.

Work Setting
Mixed

Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.

Physical Demands
Light

Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.

Stress Level
High

High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.

What Is the Job Outlook for Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians?

Through 2035 the BLS expects this field to change by +2.6%, meaning it is growing slowly, a little behind the average job. Around 1,400 roles open up each year, which is the number that matters most if you are starting out. Source: BLS.

Growth rates are only meaningful next to other occupations, and the full list of careers with their projected growth puts this one in context.

↗ +2.6%
10-Year Growth (2025–2035)

Slower than average.

1,400
Annual Openings

New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.

16K
Currently Employed

Total US employment as of BLS May 2025.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025.

Where the Jobs Are

The five states below employ the most Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $73,900 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.

# State Jobs Median Wage vs. National
1 California 1,850 $81,550 +10.4%
2 Texas 1,800 $54,460 -26.3%
3 Massachusetts 920 $73,630 -0.4%
4 Michigan 850 $62,460 -15.5%
5 North Carolina 800 $63,330 -14.3%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →

How to Get Here

To get hired here you will usually need a associate's degree. The 4 programs below are the most common routes in, ordered by how many people actually graduate from each one.

The next most common path is an Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians program and the colleges offering it, which suits a different kind of applicant.

Associate's degree
Zone 3: Medium Preparation

A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.


Degree Programs That Lead Here

# Program Graduates/yr 4yr Median Colleges
1 Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians 10,996 $84,304 533
2 Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians 8,331 $84,599 572
3 Mechanical Engineering Tech 5,841 $82,073 321
4 Engineering Technologies/Technicians 4,002 $80,526 261

Top Colleges for Aspiring Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.

# College UCD Score Net Price Salary 10yr
1 United States Military Academy West Point, NY 96 — —
2 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI 91 $13,138 $83,648
3 California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA 90 $10,440 $64,403
4 Turtle Mountain College Belcourt, ND 88 $3,428 $32,079
5 Berea College Berea, KY 88 $6,106 $43,150
6 Brazosport College Lake Jackson, TX 88 $4,732 $45,910

Plan Your Path

Once you've sized up Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians Pros & Cons

The data on Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians shows 2 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.

PROS
  • Above-average pay At $73,900 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
  • Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a associate's degree, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
  • Slow job growth At +2.6% projected growth, this career lags the national average. Limited expansion means stiffer competition for openings that do appear.

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians professionals earn?
Around $73,900 a year for the typical worker, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,780 and $88,540. Treat the national figure as a starting point rather than a promise: employer size, industry and city all move it.
Is Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $73,900 median, though slow job growth means most openings come from workers leaving the field rather than new positions being created. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How do I become an Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians?
Most Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians positions require a associate's degree as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians?
Employment is projected to change by +2.6% through 2035, slower than average compared with other occupations. Around 1,400 roles open each year once you count people retiring and moving on, which matters more to someone starting out than the growth rate does. 16K people do this job nationwide today, so it is an established field rather than a niche one. Source: BLS May 2025.
What skills do Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians professionals need?
Mainly Operations Monitoring, Troubleshooting, Repairing, Equipment Maintenance, and Critical Thinking. Notice how many of those are habits rather than facts: they come from doing the work, not from a lecture. That is why programs with an internship or co-op requirement put you ahead of people who only studied the theory. Source: O*NET.

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