Life As a Mechanical Engineering Technologist
Job Description & Duties Assist mechanical engineers in such activities as generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy. Prepare layouts of machinery or equipment or plan the flow of work. May conduct statistical studies or analyze production costs.
Life As a Mechanical Engineering Technologist: What Do They Do?
- Design specialized or customized equipment, machines, or structures.
- Analyze or estimate production costs, such as labor, equipment, or plant space.
- Prepare cost and materials estimates or project schedules.
- Design molds, tools, dies, jigs, or fixtures for use in manufacturing processes.
- Assist mechanical engineers in product testing through activities such as setting up instrumentation for automobile crash tests.
- Conduct failure analyses, document results, and recommend corrective actions.
What Every Mechanical Engineering Technologist Should Know
When polled, Mechanical Engineering Technologists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Lead Manufacturing Engineering Tech
- Technical Staff Engineer
- Mechanical Technologist
- Systems Analyst
- Tool Analyst
Job Outlook for Mechanical Engineering Technologists
There were about 76,800 jobs for Mechanical Engineering Technologist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,000 new jobs for Mechanical Engineering Technologist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 7,100 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Mechanical Engineering Technologist are Utah, Nevada, and Connecticut. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, West Virginia, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Mechanical Engineering Technologist Make?
The typical yearly salary for Mechanical Engineering Technologists is somewhere between $36,120 and $98,720.
Mechanical Engineering Technologists who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Maine, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Mechanical Engineering Technologists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,380 |
| Alaska | $71,850 |
| Arizona | $59,210 |
| Arkansas | $60,310 |
| California | $71,420 |
| Colorado | $63,590 |
| Connecticut | $64,510 |
| Delaware | $51,380 |
| District of Columbia | $92,600 |
| Florida | $58,860 |
| Georgia | $59,830 |
| Hawaii | $76,070 |
| Idaho | $55,540 |
| Illinois | $63,760 |
| Indiana | $58,450 |
| Iowa | $57,620 |
| Kansas | $65,870 |
| Kentucky | $58,880 |
| Louisiana | $59,930 |
| Maine | $79,670 |
| Maryland | $84,790 |
| Massachusetts | $64,220 |
| Michigan | $64,270 |
| Minnesota | $57,440 |
| Mississippi | $60,500 |
| Missouri | $59,830 |
| Montana | $59,810 |
| Nebraska | $57,630 |
| Nevada | $71,330 |
| New Hampshire | $57,730 |
| New Jersey | $75,380 |
| New Mexico | $78,160 |
| New York | $63,780 |
| North Carolina | $63,600 |
| North Dakota | $75,030 |
| Ohio | $61,060 |
| Oklahoma | $63,790 |
| Oregon | $56,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,210 |
| Rhode Island | $73,240 |
| South Carolina | $70,820 |
| South Dakota | $51,110 |
| Tennessee | $57,800 |
| Texas | $66,630 |
| Utah | $56,480 |
| Vermont | $58,960 |
| Virginia | $77,280 |
| Washington | $74,810 |
| West Virginia | $70,550 |
| Wisconsin | $58,780 |
| Wyoming | $67,110 |
What Tools & Technology do Mechanical Engineering Technologists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Mechanical Engineering Technologists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft SharePoint
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Bentley Microstation
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Mathsoft Mathcad
- Data acquisition software
- Finite element method FEM software
- Autodesk Inventor
- ANSYS FLUENT
- ANSYS
- ProModel
How do I Become a Mechanical Engineering Technologist?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Mechanical Engineering Technologist?
What work experience do I need to become a Mechanical Engineering Technologist?
Where do Mechanical Engineering Technologists Work?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Ryan Conroy via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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