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Engineering Technologies Major

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Engineering Technologies

$62,890 Median Salary

Types of Degrees Engineering Technologies Majors Are Getting

The following table lists how many engineering technologies graduations there were in 2020-2021 for each degree level.

Education Level Number of Grads
Associate Degree 23,253
Basic Certificate 22,500
Bachelor’s Degree 18,886
Undergraduate Certificate 12,877
Master’s Degree 6,549
Graduate Certificate 920
Doctor’s Degree 203

What Engineering Technologies Majors Need to Know

O*NET surveyed people in occupations related to engineering tech and asked them what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. The responses were rated on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being most important.

Knowledge Areas for Engineering Tech Majors

Engineering Tech majors often go into careers in which the following knowledge areas are important:

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  • Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Skills for Engineering Tech Majors

The following list of skills has been highlighted as some of the most essential for careers related to engineering tech:

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  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • 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.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Abilities for Engineering Tech Majors

As you progress with your engineering tech degree, there are several abilities you should pick up that will help you in whatever related career you choose. These abilities include:

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  • Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

What Can You Do With a Engineering Technologies Major?

Below is a list of occupations associated with engineering tech:

Job Title Job Growth Rate Median Salary
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians 6.6% $67,010
Architectural and Engineering Managers 5.5% $140,760
Architectural Drafters 8.1% $54,920
Automotive Engineering Technicians 5.0% $56,250
Automotive Master Mechanics 6.1% $40,710
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists 19.0% $64,430
Civil Drafters 8.1% $54,920
Civil Engineering Technicians 8.9% $52,580
Commercial and Industrial Designers 4.3% $66,590
Construction Managers 11.1% $93,370
Cost Estimators 10.5% $64,040
Drafters 8.2% $51,850
Electrical Drafters 6.9% $60,070
Electrical Engineering Technicians 2.0% $64,330
Electrical Engineering Technologists 5.2% $63,200
Electro-Mechanical Technicians 3.6% $57,790
Electromechanical Engineering Technologists 5.2% $63,200
Electronic Drafters 6.9% $60,070
Electronics Engineering Technicians 2.0% $64,330
Electronics Engineering Technologists 5.2% $63,200
Engineering Professors 14.7% $101,720
Environmental Engineering Technicians 12.4% $50,560
Fuel Cell Technicians 5.2% $63,200
Geodetic Surveyors 11.2% $62,580
Geological Sample Test Technicians 16.0% $53,300
Geophysical Data Technicians 16.0% $53,300
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers 17.1% $42,030
Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics and Installers 14.7% $47,610
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists 9.7% $87,040
Industrial Engineering Technicians 0.6% $55,460
Industrial Engineering Technologists 5.2% $63,200
Industrial Engineers 9.7% $87,040
Manufacturing Engineering Technologists 5.2% $63,200
Manufacturing Engineers 6.4% $96,980
Manufacturing Production Technicians 5.2% $63,200
Mapping Technicians 10.6% $44,380
Mechanical Drafters 5.2% $55,920
Mechanical Engineering Technicians 5.0% $56,250
Mechanical Engineering Technologists 5.2% $63,200
Medical Equipment Repairers 4.2% $49,210
Microsystems Engineers 6.4% $96,980
Nanosystems Engineers 6.4% $96,980
Nanotechnology Engineering Technicians 5.2% $63,200
Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists 5.2% $63,200
Non-Destructive Testing Specialists 5.2% $63,200
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists 8.1% $73,020
Photonics Technicians 5.2% $63,200
Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers 1.6% $57,610
Professors 9.4% $65,660
Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers 14.7% $47,610
Robotics Technicians 3.6% $57,790
Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining 23.4% $47,860
Software Developers, Applications 30.7% $103,620
Software Developers, Systems Software 11.1% $110,000
Solar Photovoltaic Installers 104.4% $42,680
Solderers and Brazers 5.6% $41,380
Surveying Technicians 10.6% $44,380
Surveyors 11.2% $62,580
Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters 5.6% $41,380

Who Is Getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Technologies?

18,886 Bachelor's Degrees Annually
15% Percent Women
29% Percent Racial-Ethnic Minorities*
This major attracts more men than women. About 85% of the graduates in this field are male.

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of engineering tech majors is as follows:

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Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 884
Black or African American 1,504
Hispanic or Latino 2,512
White 11,488
International Students 1,158
Other Races/Ethnicities 1,340

Geographic Diversity

Engineering Tech appeals to people across the globe. About 6.1% of those with this major are international students.

How Much Do Engineering Technologies Majors Make?

Bachelor’s Degree Starting Salary

Data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that engineering technologies students who graduated in 2017-2019 with a bachelor’s degree made a median starting salary of $59,155 per year. During this timeframe, most salaries fell between $52,602 (25th percentile) and $63,817 (75th percentile).

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We don’t know for sure if all of these people took jobs related to engineering tech so take that into consideration.

Salaries According to BLS

Engineering Tech majors often go into careers where salaries can range from $52,780 to $76,990 (25th to 75th percentile). This range includes all degree levels, so you may expect those with a more advanced degree to make more while those with less advanced degrees will typically make less.

To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.

Median Salary for an Engineering Technologies Major  ( 52780 to 76990 )
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Median Salary for a High School Graduate  ( 30000 to 57900 )
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Median Salary for a Bachelor's Degree Holder  ( 45600 to 99000 )
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Median Salary for an Advanced Degree Holder  ( 55600 to 125400 )
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Some degrees associated with engineering tech may require an advanced degree, while others may not even require a bachelor’s in the field. In general, the more advanced your degree the more career options will open up to you. However, there is significant time and money that needs to be invested into your education so weigh the pros and cons.

Find out what the typical degree level is for engineering tech careers below.

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Education Level Percentage of Workers
Less than a High School Diploma 2.9%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) 14.5%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) 15.1%
Some College Courses 8.4%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) 18.2%
Bachelor’s Degree 30.4%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. 1.3%
Master’s Degree 6.3%
Post-Master’s Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master’s degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. 0.4%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession. 0.2%
Doctoral Degree 1.6%
Post-Doctoral Training 0.7%

Online Engineering Technologies Programs

In 2020-2021, 1,610 schools offered a engineering tech program of some type. The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.

Degree Level Colleges Offering Programs Colleges Offering Online Classes
Certificate (Less Than 1 Year) 0 0
Certificate (1-2 years) 1,809 56
Certificate (2-4 Years) 75 3
Associate’s Degree 3,404 121
Bachelor’s Degree 128 34
Post-Baccalaureate 0 0
Master’s Degree 328 80
Post-Master’s 9 0
Doctor’s Degree (Research) 35 3
Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) 2 2
Doctor’s Degree (Other) 1 0

Is a Degree in Engineering Technologies Worth It?

The median salary for a engineering tech grad is $62,890 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.

This is 58% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $459,800 after 20 years!

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You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to engineering tech.

Major Number of Grads
Computer & Information Sciences 254,454
Engineering 198,468
Biological & Biomedical Sciences 177,778
Mathematics & Statistics 52,396
Physical Sciences 50,306
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations 49,899
Natural Resources & Conservation 30,503
Architecture & Related Services 17,325
Communications Technologies & Support 14,826
Science Technologies / Technicians 6,451

References

*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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