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Industrial Automation
Siemens, Rockwell Automation, Honeywell
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
These technicians build, wire, test, and repair equipment that mixes mechanical parts with electronics, from assemblies on a bench to systems used on a production line. The work stands out because it demands both hands-on repair skills and the ability to read diagrams, measure tiny tolerances, and catch faults before they spread. The tradeoff is clear: the pay is solid for a 2-year path, but the job is mostly on-site and depends on careful, sometimes tedious troubleshooting.
Also known as Mechatronics TechnicianElectromechanical TechnicianAutomation TechnicianRobotics TechnicianControls Technician
Median Salary
$70,760
Mean $75,710
U.S. Workforce
~15K
1.3K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+1.1%
15K to 15.1K
Entry Education
Associate's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians sits in the Technology category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~15K workers, with a median annual pay of $70,760 and roughly 1.3K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 15 K in 2024 to 15.1K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Associate's degree in mechatronics, electronics, or industrial technology, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Entry-level assembler and can progress toward Automation or maintenance supervisor. High-value skills usually include Troubleshooting, Operations Monitoring, and Repairing, paired with soft skills such as Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, and Complex Problem Solving.
Core Responsibilities
- Put mechanical and electrical parts together with hand tools, fixtures, and microscopes.
- Install wiring, sensors, circuit boards, and other electronics into housings or assemblies.
- Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, and service manuals to figure out how equipment should be built or repaired.
- Measure parts carefully, inspect surfaces, and check clearances so everything meets spec.
Keep exploring: more Technology careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Put mechanical and electrical parts together with hand tools, fixtures, and microscopes.
02 Install wiring, sensors, circuit boards, and other electronics into housings or assemblies.
03 Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, and service manuals to figure out how equipment should be built or repaired.
04 Measure parts carefully, inspect surfaces, and check clearances so everything meets spec.
05 Test finished assemblies with meters, oscilloscopes, and other test gear to find wiring or performance problems.
06 Track parts, inventory, and repair records so work stays organized and supplies do not run short.
Industries That Hire
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Automotive Manufacturing
Toyota, Ford, Tesla
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Aerospace & Defense
Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman
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Medical Devices
Medtronic, Abbott, Stryker
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Semiconductor & Electronics
Intel, Texas Instruments, Micron
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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Pay is solid for a role that usually starts with an associate's degree: the median is $70,760 and the mean is $75,710.
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The work is tangible, so you can see a broken machine come back to life after you trace the fault and fix it.
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You use a mix of mechanical, electrical, and computer-based skills, which keeps the work from feeling one-note.
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You usually do not need prior work experience or on-the-job training, so the path into the field is straightforward after school.
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There are about 1.3K annual openings, so even with slow growth, employers still need people to replace retirees and turnover.
Challenges
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Growth is very slow: employment is projected to rise only 1.1% from 15.0K to 15.1K by 2034, so this is not a fast-expanding field.
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Remote work is rare because the job depends on being next to machines, test benches, and production equipment.
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A lot of the work is careful fault-finding and rechecking, which can be repetitive and mentally tiring when the same issue keeps coming back.
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Demand can swing with factory budgets and production levels, so hiring may slow when manufacturers cut spending or delay upgrades.
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Automation can flatten the career ladder over time, since some routine monitoring and assembly work can be absorbed by better equipment unless you move into higher-skill controls or supervisory roles.
Career Progression
Entry-level assembler
0-2 years
$38K-$50K
You build subassemblies, learn the tools, and work under close supervision while you get comfortable with drawings, test equipment, and shop procedures.
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technician
2-5 years
$66K-$79K
You troubleshoot mixed mechanical and electrical systems, make repairs, and test equipment independently, which is the stage where most people in this occupation land.
Senior mechatronics technician THIS ROLE
5-8 years
$80K-$95K
You handle harder failures, improve processes, and often help train newer technicians or coordinate fixes with engineers.
Automation or maintenance supervisor
8+ years
$96K-$118K
You oversee uptime, assign repair work, and make decisions about scheduling, parts, and larger equipment issues across a line or facility.
Education Paths
Associate's degree in mechatronics, electronics, or industrial technology
The most common entry point, held by 37.64% of workers in this role, and it lines up with the BLS typical entry requirement.
Post-secondary certificate in automation, maintenance, or electronics
A very common alternative, held by 27.23% of workers, especially for people who want faster, hands-on training.
Bachelor's degree in engineering technology, robotics, or manufacturing systems
A less common path, held by 14.57% of workers, and it can help if you want to move toward more advanced technical or lead roles.
High school diploma plus employer training or a non-degree technical certificate
A smaller share of workers starts here, with 9.47% reporting a high school diploma as their highest level, then building skills through shop classes, certificates, and experience.
Key Skills
Technical
Troubleshooting 74%
Operations Monitoring 72%
Repairing 72%
Quality Control Analysis 66%
Blueprint, Schematic & Wiring Diagram Reading 64%
Equipment Maintenance 63%
Oscilloscopes, Digital Multimeters & Test Equipment 62%
PLCs, HMIs & Machine Diagnostics 61%
Soldering, Hand Tools & Precision Fixtures 60%
Soft Skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingAttention to DetailClear CommunicationPatience Job Outlook and Trends
+1.1%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
1.3K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 15K to 15.1 K over the next decade, representing 1.1% growth. Around 1.3 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.