Life As a Mechanical Engineering Technician
Occupation Description Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or calibrate machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
Mechanical Engineering Technician Responsibilities
- Draft detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.
- Inspect lines and figures for clarity and return erroneous drawings to designer for correction.
- Prepare parts sketches and write work orders and purchase requests to be furnished by outside contractors.
- Record test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods.
- Read dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical output and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance.
- Evaluate tool drawing designs by measuring drawing dimensions and comparing with original specifications for form and function using engineering skills.
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Mechanical Engineering Technician Required Skills
These are the skills Mechanical Engineering Technicians say are the most useful in their careers:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Engineering Technician
- Engineering Lab Technician
- Gyroscope Technician
- Gyroscopic Engineering Technician
- Heat Transfer Technician
Is There Going to be Demand for Mechanical Engineering Technicians?
In the United States, there were 46,100 jobs for Mechanical Engineering Technician in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,300 new jobs for Mechanical Engineering Technician by 2026. There will be an estimated 4,200 positions for Mechanical Engineering Technician per year.

The states with the most job growth for Mechanical Engineering Technician are Utah, Connecticut, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Hawaii. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Mechanical Engineering Technician
The typical yearly salary for Mechanical Engineering Technicians is somewhere between $34,900 and $85,430.

Mechanical Engineering Technicians who work in Louisiana, New Mexico, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
How much do Mechanical Engineering Technicians make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $57,670 |
Alaska | $65,050 |
Arizona | $57,620 |
Arkansas | $53,860 |
California | $62,510 |
Colorado | $68,690 |
Connecticut | $69,900 |
District of Columbia | $55,820 |
Florida | $50,360 |
Georgia | $55,540 |
Idaho | $54,740 |
Illinois | $60,940 |
Indiana | $53,430 |
Iowa | $51,710 |
Kansas | $55,210 |
Kentucky | $50,510 |
Louisiana | $82,350 |
Maine | $62,720 |
Maryland | $61,790 |
Massachusetts | $60,100 |
Michigan | $55,470 |
Minnesota | $58,940 |
Mississippi | $61,630 |
Missouri | $51,850 |
Montana | $55,070 |
Nebraska | $56,070 |
Nevada | $67,610 |
New Hampshire | $55,160 |
New Jersey | $55,090 |
New Mexico | $79,530 |
New York | $60,000 |
North Carolina | $54,810 |
North Dakota | $59,350 |
Ohio | $54,660 |
Oklahoma | $58,630 |
Oregon | $51,860 |
Pennsylvania | $54,640 |
Rhode Island | $59,180 |
South Carolina | $58,790 |
South Dakota | $43,310 |
Tennessee | $55,730 |
Texas | $67,740 |
Utah | $54,060 |
Vermont | $53,420 |
Virginia | $60,860 |
Washington | $65,300 |
West Virginia | $54,950 |
Wisconsin | $52,140 |
What Tools do Mechanical Engineering Technicians Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Mechanical Engineering Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Computer aided design CAD software
- National Instruments LabVIEW
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
- Bentley MicroStation
- PTC Creo Parametric
- Autodesk Revit
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Corel WordPerfect
- Wolfram Research Mathematica
- Autodesk Inventor
How to Become a Mechanical Engineering Technician
What education or degrees do I need to become a Mechanical Engineering Technician?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Mechanical Engineering Technician?

Where Mechanical Engineering Technicians Are Employed

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Mechanical Engineering Technician may also be interested in:
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
- Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Those who work as a Mechanical Engineering Technician sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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