How to Become a Mechatronics Technician (2026)
Is Mechatronics Technician Right for You?
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET profile for Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians (SOC 17-3024) describes the work this way: 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.
What the work involves
- 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.
- Inspect parts for surface defects.
Skills and knowledge that matter
Skills: Operations Monitoring, Troubleshooting, Repairing, Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Critical Thinking.
Knowledge: Computers and Electronics, Mechanical, Engineering and Technology, English Language.
Tools and technology you may use
Tools: Analog oscilloscopes, Computerized numerical control CNC lathes, Computerized numerical control CNC machining centers, Conductivity sensors, Coordinate measuring machines CMM, Desktop computers.
Technology: Project management software, Computer aided design CAD software, Analytical or scientific software, Autodesk AutoCAD, C++, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks.
Typical preparation
O*NET Job Zone Three (Medium Preparation Needed). Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Interest fit
O*NET interest profile: Realistic, Conventional, Investigative. People who enjoy hands-on, practical work with tools, machines, plants, or materials often find this occupation a good fit.
Source: O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)
Quick answer: A mechatronics technician installs, programs and maintains automated equipment: PLCs, robots, sensors, drives and industrial networks. The coded occupation is SOC 17-3024, median $73,900 ($35.53/hour) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). There is no state license. Most people enter through a two-year associate. If the posting is an engineer title, that is how to become a mechatronics engineer.
Mechatronics is the stack that runs a production cell: mechanical power transmission, electrical controls, and the software that times them. Day-to-day work is closer to controls technician and industrial maintenance than to a licensed engineer.
How to Become a Mechatronics Technician
Most people reach a hire-against credential in about two years through an associate. There is no board exam and no state mechatronics license. Employers weigh demonstrated skill, the equipment you trained on, and whether those platforms match the plant.
1. Earn a high school diploma or GED
A diploma or GED is the usual floor. Algebra shows up in electrical and fluid calculations. Basic electricity, shop and any robotics class help. If you already work as a millwright, CNC machinist or maintenance technician, skip ahead: bring transcripts, apprenticeship hours and certificates and ask the school in writing what they will count.
2. Complete a mechatronics AAS or a robotics/automation certificate
This is the core credential. The mechatronics associate is the two-year degree most programs in this field award. IPEDS Completions 2024: 46 institutions awarded an associate in CIP 15.0407 (mechatronics, robotics, and automation engineering technology); 21 awarded an associate in CIP 14.4201 (the engineering CIP).
Certificates and apprenticeships exist. Length and cost vary by school. Request the current calendar and pricing. Do not treat a bachelor’s as the first step unless the posting requires four years. Do not start with a master’s.
Program directory: mechatronics programs.
3. Get hands-on time on the actual stack
Expect PLCs (ladder logic and structured text), industrial robotics, sensors, drives and motion control, hydraulics and pneumatics, industrial networking, and mechanical fundamentals. Online and hybrid programs can move theory off campus. Robot cells, drives and hydraulic trainers are usually hybrid or on site. Confirm the lab format before you enroll.
If the program is engineering technology, look up ABET ETAC. Technician work does not require it. Transfer into a bachelor’s later might.
4. Add platform credentials only if the plant runs those cells
FANUC, ABB, Siemens and similar badges are optional. They are not a license. They help when the employer’s cells match. Details: certifications.
5. Apply for the work, not just the title
Postings use mechatronics technician, robotics technician, electro-mechanical technician, automation technician and controls technician. Read the duties. Overlapping occupation page: robotics technician. Engineer-titled design work is a different path.
How long does training take?
| Your starting point | Typical path | Time to technician work |
|---|---|---|
| High school diploma / GED | Mechatronics AAS | About 2 years full-time |
| Working adult | Same AAS, part-time or hybrid | Longer than 2 years; ask the school |
| Millwright, machinist or maintenance tech | AAS or certificate plus transfer of prior hours | Shorter if the school accepts the credits in writing |
| Posting requires a four-year title | Bachelor’s | About 4 years; see the engineer page if the title is engineer |
These are typical ranges. Certificates and apprenticeships vary. Get the calendar in writing.
What Mechatronics Technicians Do
They keep automated equipment running. That means installing, programming, troubleshooting and maintaining the cell, not stamping the design.
Typical work:
- Teach and recover industrial robots; check work envelopes and safeguarding
- Write and debug PLC logic; find a fault in a running line without guessing
- Set up sensors, I/O and industrial networks
- Tune drives and motion; work hydraulics and pneumatics
- Align, replace and maintain mechanical power transmission
- Work with controls technicians and maintenance crews on shutdowns and startups
Work settings
- Manufacturing and packaging plants
- Automotive, food, semiconductor and warehouse automation
- OEM equipment builders and robot integrators
- Field service covering multiple plants
Skills That Make a Great Mechatronics Technician
- PLC troubleshooting (ladder and structured text)
- Robot recovery, tool center points and safe-guarding
- Electrical metering and I/O diagnosis
- Mechanical fundamentals: bearings, belts, alignment, pneumatics
- Reading prints, I/O lists and network topologies
- Working around moving equipment without shortcuts
- Clear handoff notes so the next shift is not guessing
Education and Training Paths
| Pathway | Typical duration | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies; ask the school | Faster entry; confirm labs |
| Associate (AAS) | About 2 years | Hire-against credential for this occupation |
| Apprenticeship | Varies by sponsor | Paid hours plus related instruction |
| Bachelor’s | About 4 years | Engineering-technology or engineering title; PE is a different question |
| Platform credentials | Days to weeks | Optional; match the employer’s cells |
Pay and outlook (SOC 17-3024)
This page pays from electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians, not from a job-board “mechatronics engineer” average.
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $73,900 ($35.53/hr) | BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 17-3024 |
| 10th percentile | $47,840 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $59,780 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $88,540 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $109,890 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 15,520 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change 2024-34 | 1.1%, about 1,300 openings/year | BLS EP 2024-34 |
Adjacent occupations (same data vintage):
| Occupation | SOC | Median wage | Employment | Projected change 2024-34 | Openings/year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial machinery mechanics | 49-9041 | $64,520 | 439,640 | 16.1% | 45,700 |
| Machinists | 51-4041 | $58,750 | 287,050 | 0.0% | 29,500 |
| CNC tool operators | 51-9161 | $50,690 | 169,450 | -10.7% | 13,500 |
Wages and employment: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Projections: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34.
The 17-3024 count is small. A lot of similar work is counted as industrial machinery mechanics. CNC operator employment is projected to shrink; maintenance and technician work is where the openings are. That argument, with sources: is a mechatronics degree worth it and careers.
State wage cells for this coded occupation are on the mechatronics program state pages (39 states with published BLS cells).
Career growth
With experience, technicians move into:
- Senior or lead technician on a cell or area
- Controls technician work with heavier PLC ownership
- Field service for an OEM or integrator
- Supervision of maintenance crews
- A later bachelor’s if the plant posts a four-year requirement, then mechatronics engineer if the title is actually engineer
Licensing
There is no state mechatronics technician license and no board exam. That makes the credential portable. It also means program quality is on you: lab equipment, controls platforms, and whether those match local plants.
A PE is an engineer license. It is not required for this job. See ABET EAC vs ETAC only if you plan the four-year rung later.
Cost and duration
- Time: associate typically two years full-time. Certificates and apprenticeships vary.
- Tuition: varies by school, public vs private, and format. Request current pricing. Do not budget from a ranking page.
- Transfer: apprenticeship hours, military training and certificates can count. Get a written evaluation.
- Certifications: platform exam fees are set by the issuer; look them up there.
- Employer tuition assistance is common in plants that already employ you.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Median $73,900 for the coded occupation (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- No state license; the credential is portable
- Prior millwright, machining or maintenance work shortens the mechanical layer
- Associate is the usual hire-against credential, not a four-year degree
Cons
- The coded occupation is small (15,520 jobs); similar work is often titled something else
- Labs are often hybrid; fully online is the exception
- Platforms differ by plant; a badge for the wrong robot is weak evidence
- Engineer titles on job boards are a different path with no BLS wage of their own
Take the first step
If you want the plant-floor job, start with the AAS. If the posting is engineer-titled design work, use the engineer how-to.
Industry Organizations & Certifying Bodies
These are the recognized national organizations, unions, certifying bodies, and regulatory authorities that shape this trade. They issue the credentials, sponsor the apprenticeships, publish the codes, and represent workers and employers.
- ABET Accredits engineering-technology (ETAC) programs. Technician work does not require ABET; it matters for transfer and some bachelor's rungs.
- SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers) Manufacturing and automation professional society; education and industry credentials.
- International Society of Automation (ISA) Instrumentation and control systems society; optional CAP and related credentials.
- NCEES FE/PE exams apply to the engineer path, not the technician license. There is no state mechatronics technician license.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does mechatronics technician training take?
The common hire-against credential is a mechatronics or robotics-technology associate degree, typically two years full-time and longer part-time. Certificates and apprenticeships also exist; length varies by program. Ask the school for the current calendar. A bachelor's is a later rung, not the usual first credential.
How much do mechatronics technicians make?
The national median annual wage for electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians is $73,900, or $35.53 per hour (SOC 17-3024, BLS OEWS, May 2025). The 10th percentile is $47,840 and the 90th percentile is $109,890, on employment of 15,520.
Do you need a college degree or a license?
There is no state mechatronics technician license. Most postings list an associate in mechatronics, robotics technology or electromechanical technology. A high school diploma or GED is the usual start. Certificates and apprenticeships also exist. A bachelor's is optional unless the posting asks for it.
What is the job outlook?
BLS projects 1.1% employment change for SOC 17-3024 from 2024 to 2034, about 1,300 openings a year (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34). Adjacent industrial machinery mechanic employment is much larger and is projected to grow 16.1% over the same period.
Is this the same as a robotics technician?
The work overlaps. This site's robotics technician guide is the overlapping occupation path. Mechatronics is the broader stack: mechanical systems plus electrical controls plus the software that coordinates them. Coded wage cells for SOC 17-3024 are on the mechatronics program state pages.
Can you train online?
Theory and PLC logic can be online. Robot cells, drives and hydraulics are usually hybrid or on campus. Confirm the lab format before you enroll.
Should I become a mechatronics engineer instead?
Only if the posting is an engineer-titled design role. That path is an ABET-EAC bachelor's, then FE/PE if the state requires it. BLS has no mechatronics-engineer SOC. Technician work is the coded occupation on this page.
Are FANUC, ABB or Siemens certifications required?
No. They are optional platform credentials. Employers care whether you trained on the cells they actually run. They are not a state license.
Can a millwright, machinist or maintenance technician make this jump?
Yes. The mechanical layer is often review. The new material is controls, PLCs, robots and industrial networks. Ask for a written transfer evaluation of apprenticeship hours and certificates before you enroll.
How Mechatronics Technician Pay Compares to Similar Trades
Side-by-side comparison of Mechatronics Technician and the closest related careers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2025 OEWS + 2024-2034 Employment Projections).
| Career | Median Pay | 10-Year Growth | Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechatronics Technician this guide | $73,900 | +1.1% | 1,300 |
| Robotics Technician | $78,190 | +0.6% | 8,400 |
| Controls Technician | $78,190 | +0.6% | 8,400 |
| Maintenance Technician | $49,590 | +3.8% | 159,800 |
| CNC Machinist | $58,750 | - | 29,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics + BLS Employment Projections.
Degree and Program Guides
- Mechatronics programs hub
- Associate (AAS)
- Bachelor’s
- Online / hybrid
- Careers and coded wages
- Certifications
- Is a mechatronics degree worth it
- ABET EAC vs ETAC
Related occupations
- How to become a mechatronics engineer
- Robotics technician
- Controls technician
- Millwright
- CNC machinist
- Industrial maintenance technician
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), SOC 17-3024, 49-9041, 51-4041, 51-9161
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS Completions 2024, CIP 14.4201 and 15.0407
Mechatronics Technician Salary by State
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |