Automation Technician
Impact: Operational efficiency, Cost reduction, Quality control
Installs, maintains, and repairs automated systems and equipment used in manufacturing and industrial processes. Troubleshoots electro-mechanical equipment, programs PLCs, and ensures efficient operation of robotic systems.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- 60% Team / 40% Solo
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- 10-25% domestic
- Schedule flexibility
- Structured
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 40-50 hours/week
- Stress level
- Moderate
At a glance
- Median salary
- $75,000
- Entry-level
- $55,000
- Senior
- $100,000+
- Growth by 2033
- 8% (faster than average)
- Demand
- Growing
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Salary growth potential
- High to 80-120% growth from entry to senior
- Typical student debt
- $10,000 - $30,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- PLC programming
- Robotics
- Electrical systems
- Troubleshooting
- CAD software
- Industrial control systems
- Pneumatic systems
- Hydraulic systems
Soft skills
- Problem-solving
- Analytical skills
- Communication
- Attention to detail
- Adaptability
Technical complexity: High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Associate's Degree
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 3-5 years
- Years to senior
- 7-10 years
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Automation Technician
- Senior Automation Technician
- Automation Engineer
- Controls Engineer
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 15% to low risk due to hands-on troubleshooting and complex problem-solving
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Growing
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 3.5/10
- Meaning
- 3.8/10
- Work-life balance
- 3/10
- Prestige
- 6.5/10
- Social perception
- Moderate