How much does a engineering technician make?
Answer: A typical engineering technician in the United States makes $78,350 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 60,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Engineering technician pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $47,030 | $78,350 | $118,330 | about 60,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | $107,060 | about 810 |
| New Mexico | $101,750 | about 1,000 |
| Maryland | $99,970 | about 3,000 |
| Washington | $99,720 | about 2,000 |
| Virginia | $98,410 | about 4,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can differ with experience, specialized skills, and certifications, especially in areas such as nondestructive testing. Location, industry or employer, and overtime hours can also change what a technician earns.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a engineering technician do?
All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.
What's a typical day like?
A technician may set up instruments and test a part, sample, or machine using a plan. Then they record the results, compare them with the design, and tell engineers about any problems.
How to get this job
In the US, many begin after high school, earning a technical certificate or associate degree before starting work. Some specialties, such as nondestructive testing, also require hands-on practice and method-specific certification exams.
Did you know?
Some engineering technicians use ultrasound like a fish finder: sound echoes can reveal hidden changes inside a part.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Architecture and Engineering jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes173029.htm
- www.energy.gov/eere/water/engineering-technician-0
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-3029.00
- www.asnt.org/what-is-nondestructive-testing/career-pathways/ndt-technician
- www.cool.osd.mil/dciv/credential/index.html?cert=asntndtut5747
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY