Work Environment
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians held about 13,400 jobs in 2020. The largest employers of electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians were as follows:
- Machinery manufacturing - 14%
- Engineering services - 11%
- Transportation equipment manufacturing - 7%
- Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing - 5%
- Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing - 4%
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.
Job Outlook
Employment of electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians is projected to decline 2 percent from 2020 to 2030.
Despite declining employment, about 1,200 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.
Earnings
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 and mechatronics 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.
