Mechanical Engineering Tech graduates earn $82,073 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 11.9%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Mechanical Engineering Tech as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Engineering Tech and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Mechanical Engineering Tech is a focused area of study within Engineering Tech. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $82,073 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 321 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 5,841 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$62,554
Median Earnings · 4yr
$82,073
Colleges Offering
321
Graduates / Year
5,841
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,479
How Much Do Mechanical Engineering Tech Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Mechanical Engineering Tech, a typical graduate earns $82,073, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $66,779 and $98,563, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$82,073
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$81,765
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Mechanical Engineering Tech graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$66,77925th pct.
$82,073Median
$98,56375th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $82,073 against an estimated $69,916 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 103 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 5,841 students who complete Mechanical Engineering Tech programs each year, the majority (54%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
34%54%
Bachelor's54%
Associate's34%
Certificate10%
What Can You Do With a Mechanical Engineering Tech Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Mechanical Engineering Tech graduates show up in 6 different occupations, and Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians pay the most at $82,890/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Critical ThinkingQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringReading ComprehensionActive Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities
Operate, install, adjust, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems, consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment, which are used to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data.
Test aircraft systems under simulated operational conditions, performing systems readiness tests and pre- and post-operational checkouts, to establish design or fabrication parameters.
Identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications.
Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and operate test setups and equipment to detect malfunctions.
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
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.
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.
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.
Active LearningCritical ThinkingMathematicsActive ListeningReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Inspect vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
Test drive vehicles and test components and systems, using equipment such as infrared engine analyzers, compression gauges, and computerized diagnostic devices.
Test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications.
Top Colleges for Mechanical Engineering Tech
Not sure where to study Mechanical Engineering Tech? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Mechanical Engineering Tech graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Mechanical Engineering Tech is not the only path through Engineering Tech: 18 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Mechanical Engineering Tech program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Mechanical Engineering Tech a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $82,073 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $62,554 at graduation to $82,073 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +11.9% over the next decade, with Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 77,300 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
How much do Mechanical Engineering Tech graduates earn?
$82,073 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $66,779 and $98,563, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Mechanical Engineering Tech degree?
$62,554 in the first year out. That grows to $82,073 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Mechanical Engineering Tech degree?
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians are one path, and it pays a median of $82,890 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Mechanical Engineering Tech program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Mechanical Engineering Tech bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Mechanical Engineering Tech?
321 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Mechanical Engineering Tech degree worth it?
$82,073 median earnings four years out against $17,479 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Mechanical Engineering Tech and Engineering Tech?
Mechanical Engineering Tech is the narrower of the two: Engineering Tech covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Mechanical Engineering Tech-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Mechanical Engineering Tech graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Mechanical Engineering Tech graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Mechanical Engineering Tech graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Mechanical Engineering Tech graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +3.3% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians are among the strongest-growth roles at +11.9%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Other programs in Engineering Tech. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
How to Choose a Major Pillar
A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
Yes, most schools allow it, but the schedule math rarely works without either overlapping requirements or extra time. Here's when it actually fits in four years.
The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
Engineering tech
Engineering
Program earnings
Applied degree
Technician careers
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
Major earnings
Highest paying majors
Job growth
STEM
Field of study
STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
STEM earnings
Engineering pay
Computer science
Program earnings
Major choice
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
