Electro-mechanical technologists and technicians held about 12,100 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of electro-mechanical technologists and technicians were as follows:
| Engineering services | 10% |
| Machinery manufacturing | 9 |
| Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing | 6 |
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | 5 |
| Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing | 3 |
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians work with electrical engineers and mechanical engineers. They work primarily in manufacturing industries, including those of computer and electronic products and of machinery, and in professional, scientific, and technical services. They often work both at production sites and in offices.
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians are sometimes exposed to hazards from equipment or toxic materials. However, incidents are rare as long as workers follow safety procedures.
Work Schedules
Most electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians typically need either an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate.
Education
Associate’s degree programs and postsecondary certificates for electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians are offered at vocational–technical schools and community colleges.
Employers may prefer to hire graduates of programs accredited by an organization such as ABET. Associate’s degree programs usually include courses in subjects such as algebra, trigonometry, and sciences. Depending on the program, students may have the option of concentrating in a field such as electromechanics, mechatronics, or industrial maintenance.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians may earn optional certification to demonstrate professional competence.
The International Society of Automation offers the Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) and Certified Automation Professional (CAP) designations. Both require a written exam, and recertification is required after a specified number of years.
The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) offers certification in electrical power testing and other specialties. The technologist certification requires a 4-year engineering technology degree.
Electro-mechanical technicians typically have an interest in the Building, Thinking and Organizing interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Thinking or Organizing interest which might fit with a career as an electro-mechanical technician, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Electro-mechanical technicians should also possess the following specific qualities:
Detail oriented. Electro-mechanical technicians must make and keep the precise, accurate measurements that mechanical engineers need.
Dexterity. Electro-mechanical engineering technicians in particular must be able to use hand tools and soldering irons on small circuitry and electronic parts to create detailed electronic components by hand.
Interpersonal skills. Electro-mechanical technicians must be able to take instruction and offer advice when needed. In addition, they often need to coordinate their work with that of others.
Logical-thinking skills. To carry out engineers’ designs, inspect designs for quality control, and assemble prototypes, electro-mechanical technicians must be able to read instructions and follow a logical sequence or a specific set of rules.
Math skills. Electro-mechanical engineering technicians use mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.
Mechanical skills. Electro-mechanical technicians must be able to apply the theory and instructions of engineers by creating or building new components for industrial machinery or equipment. They must be adept at operating machinery, including drill presses, grinders, and engine lathes.
Writing skills. Electro-mechanical technicians must write reports on onsite construction, the results of testing, or problems they find when carrying out designs. Their writing must be clear and well organized so that the engineers they work with can understand the reports.
The median annual wage for electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians was $60,360 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,650, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $98,070.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for electro-mechanical technologists and technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing | $61,030 |
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | 60,910 |
| Machinery manufacturing | 60,220 |
| Engineering services | 49,260 |
| Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing | 47,690 |
Most electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
Employment of electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians is projected to decline 4 percent from 2021 to 2031.
Despite declining employment, about 1,100 openings for electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
Many of these technologists and technicians are employed in manufacturing industries, for which employment projections vary. Automation in manufacturing could affect this occupation in both positive and negative ways. While automation may replace certain responsibilities, electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians will still be needed to operate and maintain the robotic equipment.
For more information about general engineering education and career resources, visit
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
Technology Student Association (TSA)
For more information on accredited programs, visit
For more information about certification, visit
International Society of Automation (ISA)
National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET)
For information about working in automation, visit