Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians

Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

AI Resistance Index 27 of 99

Changing faster than most: more resilient than 27% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +1.3% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on creative vision and physical dexterity.

AI can do many of the tasks, and hiring is expected to grow slower than average or to shrink. The job is likely to change, so build the human parts of it.

Median pay (2025): $74,510
Job growth to 2035: +1.3%
Openings a year: 3,100
People doing it (2025): 36,900
Usual route in: Associate's degree

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Where people already use AI for this work

Test performance of equipment or systems
Document technical designs, procedures, or activities
Advise others on business or operational matters

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Test characteristics of materials or products
Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance
Design industrial systems or equipment

What the work looks like

Assemble or disassemble complex mechanical systems.
Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings.
Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.
Set up prototype and test apparatus and operate test controlling equipment to observe and record prototype test results.
Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

Fewer of these jobs, as improvements in computer-aided design software, knowledge-based systems, and related technologies allow these workers to perform routine tasks more efficiently.
Fewer of these jobs, as automation and robotics take over some of the responsibilities of this occupation.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and techniciansHuman edge, steady, Index 64, +2.6%
SurveyorsGrows with AI, Index 38, +5.8%
Industrial engineering technologists and techniciansChanging shape, Index 47, +3.1%
Museum technicians and conservatorsHuman edge, growing, Index 71, +3.6%

Also known as: Engineering Technician (Engineering Tech), Mechanical Designer, Mechanical Technician (Mechanical Tech), Research and Development Technician (R and D Tech), Laboratory Technician (Lab Technician), Research Technician, Engineering Laboratory Technician (Engineering Lab Technician), Engineering Technical Analyst.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.