Automotive Engineering Technicians
SOC code 17-3027 · O*NET-SOC 17-3027.01 · Medium preparation needed · Science and engineering
Automotive Engineering Technicians pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$74,510
a year
Hourly
$35.82
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$76,380
$36.72 per hour
Middle 50%
$59,510 – $88,110
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$48,400 – $106,050
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
36,190
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $48,400
- $23.27/hr
- 25th percentile
- $59,510
- $28.61/hr
- Median percentile
- $74,510
- $35.82/hr
- 75th percentile
- $88,110
- $42.36/hr
- 90th percentile
- $106,050
- $50.99/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
0%
Little or no change expected
38,300
jobs in 2024
38,300
projected for 2034
About 0 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does an automotive engineering technician do?
Assist engineers in determining the practicality of proposed product design changes and plan and carry out tests on experimental test devices or equipment for performance, durability, or efficiency.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Document test results, using cameras, spreadsheets, documents, or other tools.
- Set up mechanical, hydraulic, or electric test equipment in accordance with engineering specifications, standards, or test procedures.
- Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, work specifications, drawings, or charts.
- Inspect or test parts to determine nature or cause of defects or malfunctions.
- Monitor computer-controlled test equipment, according to written or verbal instructions.
- Analyze test data for automotive systems, subsystems, or component parts.
- Install equipment, such as instrumentation, test equipment, engines, or aftermarket products, to ensure proper interfaces.
- Perform or execute manual or automated tests of automotive system or component performance, efficiency, or durability.
How to become an automotive engineering technician
Most people in this role hold associate's degree or other 2-year degree — 37% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- 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.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree37%
- Bachelor's Degree30%
- Post-Secondary Certificate15%
- Master's Degree11%
Common questions
How much does an automotive engineering technician earn?
The national median is $74,510 a year. The full range runs from $48,400 at the 10th percentile to $106,050 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an automotive engineering technician without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is automotive engineering technician in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 0% between 2024 and 2034 — little or no change expected. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.6/5
- Speaking3.5/5
- Critical Thinking3.5/5
- Active Listening3.3/5
- Writing3.3/5
- Mathematics3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology4.5/5
- Mechanical4.2/5
- Computers and Electronics4.1/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Physics3.7/5
- Transportation3.1/5
- Design3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis.