Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician Salary
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn a median $74,510 a year nationally. Architecture and Engineering Occupations
What mechanical engineering technologists and technicians do
Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.3% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 3,100
- Self-employed
- 1%
Employment of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is projected to grow 1.3% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,562
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,620
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,080
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$61,248
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,400 | $23.27 | $41,069 |
| 25th percentile | $59,510 | $28.61 | $49,996 |
| Median (50th) | $74,510 | $35.82 | $61,248 |
| 75th percentile | $88,110 | $42.36 | $70,815 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,050 | $50.99 | $83,436 |
Best cities for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit, MI | $69,490 | $55,014 | $54,850 | 3,140 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Detroit, MI — $69,490
Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $102,800 | +2.4% | $78,452 | $47,060 – $177,310 | 270 |
| New Mexico | $97,560 | +11.1% | $74,014 | $56,400 – $122,690 | 320 |
| Missouri | $92,150 | +13.5% | $70,264 | $62,050 – $127,480 | 800 |
| California | $87,390 | +6.3% | $65,275 | $57,950 – $124,740 | 3,660 |
| Connecticut | $82,660 | +2.1% | $64,010 | $49,350 – $128,460 | 350 |
| Rhode Island | $81,600 | +0.2% | $63,792 | $56,470 – $140,960 | 30 |
| Oregon | $80,840 | +9.7% | $59,457 | $52,720 – $104,850 | 260 |
| Nebraska | $80,050 | +2.8% | $62,382 | $52,590 – $99,640 | 250 |
| Washington | $79,410 | +7.3% | $64,695 | $59,150 – $125,450 | 890 |
| Maryland | $79,180 | +3.0% | $61,136 | $51,750 – $124,060 | 640 |
| Ohio | $78,500 | +16.3% | $62,678 | $48,820 – $97,740 | 1,800 |
| New York | $78,210 | +3.3% | $60,224 | $46,290 – $103,660 | 1,140 |
| Kentucky | $77,990 | +15.1% | $61,084 | $48,690 – $97,880 | 520 |
| Delaware | $77,820 | +18.3% | $59,781 | $53,980 – $99,190 | 50 |
| Indiana | $77,220 | −7.2% | $60,906 | $49,610 – $99,380 | 1,500 |
| Colorado | $77,090 | −5.6% | $60,379 | $54,650 – $109,650 | 330 |
| Illinois | $77,020 | +4.1% | $59,346 | $51,360 – $121,460 | 1,170 |
| Maine | $76,790 | +2.2% | $58,850 | $49,920 – $102,730 | 220 |
| Texas | $76,610 | +3.1% | $62,725 | $48,530 – $123,620 | 2,140 |
| North Dakota | $76,440 | +9.7% | $62,374 | $56,160 – $122,390 | 90 |
| Virginia | $75,650 | +18.5% | $58,514 | $46,090 – $98,320 | 670 |
| Georgia | $73,870 | +11.8% | $57,586 | $48,170 – $128,540 | 560 |
| Nevada | $72,950 | +12.3% | $60,150 | $47,030 – $118,650 | 420 |
| Arizona | $72,090 | +5.6% | $57,952 | $49,570 – $99,020 | 730 |
| Iowa | $71,670 | +8.3% | $57,178 | $52,430 – $125,300 | 500 |
| Pennsylvania | $70,820 | +15.1% | $56,478 | $49,620 – $100,630 | 1,620 |
| Mississippi | $70,570 | +0.4% | $56,385 | $49,240 – $91,170 | 220 |
| South Carolina | $69,580 | +8.7% | $54,762 | $49,350 – $96,610 | 1,290 |
| Idaho | $68,310 | +1.1% | $54,374 | $55,120 – $84,220 | 30 |
| Michigan | $68,170 | +8.0% | $54,141 | $46,110 – $98,980 | 4,930 |
| Wisconsin | $67,850 | +2.6% | $54,347 | $47,880 – $90,150 | 900 |
| New Hampshire | $66,740 | −1.7% | $55,782 | $54,570 – $85,490 | 570 |
| New Jersey | $65,180 | −8.5% | $52,499 | $46,350 – $99,860 | 260 |
| Minnesota | $63,990 | −12.1% | $50,768 | $45,000 – $85,640 | 400 |
| Massachusetts | $62,390 | −6.8% | $49,411 | $53,200 – $95,460 | 1,310 |
| North Carolina | $62,360 | −0.6% | $50,307 | $48,550 – $91,160 | 1,190 |
| Tennessee | $62,270 | −9.3% | $52,214 | $46,320 – $94,160 | 580 |
| Utah | $61,870 | +1.7% | $50,074 | $48,370 – $88,110 | 900 |
| Oklahoma | $61,480 | −2.6% | $49,358 | $49,390 – $97,650 | 490 |
| Alabama | $60,350 | −1.4% | $47,919 | $46,370 – $78,690 | 400 |
| Florida | $59,720 | −7.9% | $50,165 | $37,830 – $82,410 | 540 |
| Kansas | $55,390 | −7.0% | $44,395 | $48,560 – $100,360 | 410 |
| South Dakota | $53,670 | +4.3% | $45,304 | $45,150 – $77,980 | 110 |
| West Virginia | $47,660 | −21.9% | $39,058 | $32,290 – $79,160 | 200 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologist and Technician | $73,900 | Associate's degree | +2.6% |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician | $78,190 | Associate's degree | +2.4% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $78,350 | Associate's degree | +2.8% |
| Calibration Technologist and Technician | $67,820 | Associate's degree | +4.8% |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician | $82,890 | Associate's degree | +11.9% |
| Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician | $66,120 | Associate's degree | +3.1% |
| Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician | $64,950 | Associate's degree | +3.2% |
| Environmental Engineering Technologist and Technician | $59,920 | Associate's degree | +3.1% |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafter | $76,870 | Associate's degree | -3.4% |
| Mechanical Drafter | $71,550 | Associate's degree | -6.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineering technologist and technician make?
The national median salary for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians is $74,510 a year ($35.82 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,400 and the top 10% earn over $106,050. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays mechanical engineering technologists and technicians the most?
Louisiana has the highest median pay at $102,800. After taxes and local prices, Detroit, MI offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many mechanical engineering technologists and technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 36,190 people work as mechanical engineering technologists and technicians nationwide.