Mechanical Engineering Technicians
Impact: Tangible
Assist mechanical engineers in research, design, development, testing, and manufacture of mechanical components, equipment, and machinery.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Moderate
- Team vs solo
- Team-oriented
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- Moderate
- Travel
- Occasional local travel
- Schedule flexibility
- Rigid
- Remote work
- Limited Remote
- Typical work hours
- 40 hours
- Stress level
- Moderate
At a glance
- Median salary
- $60,000
- Entry-level
- $45,000
- Senior
- $80,000
- Growth by 2033
- 5%
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Salary growth potential
- High
- Typical student debt
- $20,000 - $30,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- CAD Software
- Mechanical Testing
- Prototyping
Soft skills
- Problem-solving
- Attention to Detail
- Communication
Technical complexity: High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Associate's degree
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 5
- Years to senior
- 10
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Lead Technician, Engineering Associate, Mechanical Engineer (with further education)
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- Medium
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 4/10
- Meaning
- 3.5/10
- Work-life balance
- 4/10
- Prestige
- 6.5/10
- Social perception
- High