Mechanical Technician Major Guide: Overview and RoEDU™ Opportunities 2025

The Mechanical Technician major builds core foundations in this discipline and prepares students with practical, career-relevant skills. Use RoEDU™ to find programs that match your goals.

Within Technician, students often explore key subfields and specializations that provide targeted expertise.

Graduates translate classroom knowledge into real-world impact across sectors through hands-on projects and internships.

As part of Technician, this major connects to diverse, high-demand fields and interdisciplinary pathways.

Salary Outlook

Entry-level salary
$45,166

Typical starting pay soon after graduation.

Mid-career salary (10y)
$71,412

Estimated after a decade of experience.

Experienced salary (20y)
$95,971

Seasoned professionals at ~20 years.

Weighted median over last 5 years
CAGR 4.0%

CAGR (compound annual growth rate) summarizes average yearly change across the observed period.

Estimated lifetime earnings

40 years, present value
$1,806,640

Employment-weighted across mapped SOCs; entry ≈ 85% of median; historical CAGR shown for last 5y; projections capped at 3% CAGR; lifetime is 40-year present value at 3% discount.

Career Opportunities & Salaries

Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) • Median wages, employment, and growth projections

OccupationMedian WageTotal JobsGrowth RateEducation
Mechanical Drafters
SOC: 17-3013
Occupation: Mechanical Drafters
$68,510
39,900
N/A
N/A
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
SOC: 17-3021
Occupation: Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
$79,830
9,060
N/A
N/A
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
SOC: 17-3024
Occupation: Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
$70,760
14,680
N/A
N/A
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
SOC: 17-3027
Occupation: Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
$68,730
37,450
N/A
N/A
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
SOC: 17-3029
Occupation: Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
$77,390
64,410
N/A
N/A
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
SOC: 49-3023
Occupation: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
$49,670
688,840
N/A
N/A

Historical Career Trends (2020-2024)

Historical data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020-2024) • Salary trends and employment growth over 5 years

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

16.4%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$79,8309,060
2023$77,83010,640
2022$74,4109,750
2021$73,58010,900
2020$68,57011,900

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

18.0%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$68,73037,450
2023$64,02038,930
2022$61,99039,610
2021$60,46040,180
2020$58,23039,880

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

24.9%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$77,39064,410
2023$73,50066,200
2022$65,52070,250
2021$61,95073,600

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

12.8%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$49,670688,840
2023$47,770676,570
2022$46,970664,070
2021$46,880629,780
2020$44,050620,110

Colleges offering Mechanical Technician

Oregon Institute of Technology

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$18k

Earnings

$75k

Milwaukee School of Engineering

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$27k

Earnings

$79k

Michigan Technological University

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$18k

Earnings

$78k

Northwestern University

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$24k

Earnings

$84k

The University of Texas at Arlington

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$15k

Earnings

$64k