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Boston Career Explorer

Architecture and Engineering

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.

Also called: Engineering Laboratory Technician (Engineering Lab Technician), Engineering Technical Analyst, Engineering Technician (Engineering Tech), Engineering Technologist, Manufacturing Engineering Technician (Manufacturing Engineering Tech), Mechanical Designer

Median pay in Greater Boston
$62,390
$30.00/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
1,090
Massachusetts 2024–2034
−3.2%
60 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Associate's degree

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$57,010$62,390$62,390$83,550$95,700

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • 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.
  • Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.
  • Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation.
  • Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Moderate exposure45 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 43
  • Language-model AIOE 39
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 52

Observed AI use today: Some (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for this job is moderate, and workers report some AI use so far. AI and design software can help with calculations, reading drawings, and paperwork, and federal projections say these tools may make routine tasks faster, which is one reason Massachusetts job numbers are expected to dip. Hands-on work like assembling, testing, and supporting coworkers is much harder for AI tools to do.

Likely to change

  • Calculating equipment capacities and specifications
  • Reading drawings and preparing documentation

Still relies on people

  • Assembling and taking apart mechanical systems
  • Testing equipment and helping coworkers solve problems

What federal projections say

“Productivity change - share decreases as improvements in computer-aided design software, knowledge-based systems, and related technologies allow these workers to perform routine tasks more efficiently.”
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, factors affecting this job (U.S.)

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Industrial Machinery Mechanics

    Your experience with mechanical systems carries over to repairing production machinery. This job has lower AI exposure, strong projected growth (17.1%), and a $75,200 Boston median pay.

    Pay difference
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    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Machinists

    Working from specifications and calculating tolerances builds on your technical skills. Machinists earn a $72,060 median in Boston and need a high school diploma plus long-term training.

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  • Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

    Taking apart and repairing mechanical devices and recording test results fits your background. Boston median pay is $95,520, with lower AI exposure.

    Pay difference
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    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

3 programs near Boston

Related occupations

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