Occupations · Architecture and Engineering

Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians

Operate, test, maintain, or adjust unmanned, automated, servomechanical, or electromechanical equipment. May operate unmanned submarines, aircraft, or other equipment to observe or record visual information at sites such as oil rigs, crop fields, buildings, or for similar infrastructure, deep ocean exploration, or hazardous waste removal. May assist engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 17-3024.00

$70,760median annual wage, May 2024

14,680people employed, United States

▲ 1.1%projected change, 2024→2034

1,300openings a year, incl. replacements

What it pays

A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage

Pay over time

Median up 80% between 2003 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.

BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.

Where the jobs are

Metro area	Median wage	Employed
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$69,520	860
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$74,870	530
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$107,680	480
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	$72,040	410
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$59,750	360
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA	$108,910	350
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$79,200	350
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	$79,060	280
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$70,400	250
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	$77,080	240
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$59,970	220
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC	$84,970	220

BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation

Typical education to enter: Associate's degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Develop, test, or program new robots.
Test performance of electromechanical assemblies, using test instruments such as oscilloscopes, electronic voltmeters, or bridges.
Install or program computer hardware or machine or instrumentation software in microprocessor-based systems.
Read blueprints, schematics, diagrams, or technical orders to determine methods and sequences of assembly.
Modify, maintain, or repair electrical, electronic, or mechanical components, equipment, or systems to ensure proper functioning.
Prepare written documentation of electromechanical test results.
Inspect parts for surface defects.
Install electrical or electronic parts and hardware in housings or assemblies, using soldering equipment and hand tools.
Verify part dimensions or clearances to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
Repair, rework, or calibrate hydraulic or pneumatic assemblies or systems to meet operational specifications or tolerances.
Fabricate or assemble mechanical, electrical, or electronic components or assemblies.
Align, fit, or assemble component parts, using hand or power tools, fixtures, templates, or microscopes.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Monitoring3.8

Critical Thinking3.6

Reading Comprehension3.2

Active Learning3.1

Speaking3.1

Writing3.1

Active Listening3.1

Learning Strategies2.9

Mathematics2.9

Science2.8

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Autodesk AutoCAD●C++●Dassault Systemes SolidWorks●ESRI ArcGIS software●Linux●Microsoft Access●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Word●Python●SAP software●The MathWorks MATLAB●UNIX●AirdataAutodesk InventorAutomation StudioCircuit simulation softwareCloudCompareComputerized maintenance management system CMMSHuman machine interface HMI softwareLaser imaging detection and ranging LIDAR systemLitchiManufacturing resource planning MRP softwareMathWorks SimulinkMcNeel Rhinoceros 3DMindJet MindManager

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

3 / 5Medium preparation — vocational training or an associate degree, plus 1–2 years of work.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets+1.1 above average

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled+1.0 above average

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions+1.0 above average

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls+1.0 above average

Exposed to Contaminants+1.0 above average

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions+1.0 above average

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment+0.9 above average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2022-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

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)32%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)30%

Bachelor's Degree11%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)10%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2022-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Realistic7.0

Conventional4.6

Investigative4.4

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Program and calibrate drones for specific missions or tasks, ensuring proper functionality and performance.

O*NET 30.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Operations Monitoring4.0

Troubleshooting3.9

Repairing3.8

Quality Control Analysis3.6

Operation and Control3.5

Judgment and Decision Making3.4

Complex Problem Solving3.2

Installation3.1

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Computers and ElectronicsMechanicalEngineering and TechnologyEnglish LanguageProduction and ProcessingMathematics

Abilities it leans on

Control PrecisionNear VisionArm-Hand SteadinessFinger DexterityProblem SensitivityDeductive Reasoning

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

TesterDrone PilotRemote PilotDrone OperatorElectro-MechanicDrone TechnicianRework SpecialistRework TechnicianMechanical DesignerProcess Control TechUnderwater RoboticistCommercial Drone PilotCalibration TechnicianProduct Test Specialist

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 1 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 25

+Rapid prototyping software+Laser imaging detection and ranging LIDAR system+Autodesk AutoCAD+Python+Programmable logic controller PLC software+ESRI ArcGIS software+SAP software+National Instruments Multisim+Automation Studio+UgCS+C+++Pix4D software+Autodesk Inventor+Litchi

No longer listed 3

−Operating system software−PTC Pro/ENGINEER software−Computer aided design CAD software

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

TesterDesignerMechanicDrone PilotRemote PilotDrone OperatorTest TechnicianElectro-MechanicDrone TechnicianRework SpecialistRework TechnicianService Technician

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
robotics engineering technician	3119.2.1	close
mechatronics assembler	8211.3	close
mechatronics engineering technician	3115.1.10	broader
electromechanical engineering technician	3113.1.2	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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