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

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
1,300
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?

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians earn $73,900 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,780 and $88,540. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.

$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?

O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.

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?

The BLS projects +1.1% employment change for Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 1,300 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.

↗ +1.1%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)

Slower than average.

1,300
Annual Openings

New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.

16K
Currently Employed

Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.

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 1,620 $78,370 +6.0%
2 Texas 1,200 $64,450 -12.8%
3 Massachusetts 1,080 $68,210 -7.7%
4 Pennsylvania 830 $65,460 -11.4%
5 Florida 740 $73,400 -0.7%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →

How to Get Here

Most Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians positions require a associate's degree to qualify. The 4 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.

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 +1.1% 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?
The national median annual wage for Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians is $73,900, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,780 and $88,540. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
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 a 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?
The BLS projects +1.1% employment change for Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians through 2034, slower than average compared to all occupations. About 1,300 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 16K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians roles: Operations Monitoring, Troubleshooting, Repairing, Equipment Maintenance, and Critical Thinking. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.

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