Writes the software that lets robots sense their surroundings, plan movements and act safely, from warehouse robots to surgical arms and drones. BLS does not publish separate figures for robotics engineers; it counts them within robotics engineer (SOC 17-2199), whose median pay is $122,930 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 17-2199
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Robotics Software Engineer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $122,930a year, or $59.10/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $67KTop 10% $190K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +3.7%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+3.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +3.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 8,800166,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025166.7K
- Projected 2035173K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 166.7K Projected 2035 173K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Some college3.3%
- Associate's16.7%
- Bachelor's50%
- Post-bacc certificate6.7%
- Master's16.7%
- Doctorate6.7%
Highest education held by robotics engineers Segment Value Some college 3.3% Associate's 16.7% Bachelor's 50% Post-bacc certificate 6.7% Master's 16.7% Doctorate 6.7%
Also advertised as: Robotics Software Developer, ROS Developer, Motion Planning Engineer, Autonomy Software Engineer, Robot Software Engineer.
Pay
How much do Robotics Engineers make?
Every robotics software engineer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$122,930
Middle half earn $90,970 to $158,090
- 10th
- $66,810
- 25th
- $90,970
- 75th
- $158,090
- 90th
- $189,950
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $66,810 |
| 25th | $90,970 |
| Median | $122,930 |
| 75th | $158,090 |
| 90th | $189,950 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $122,930
- Median hourly wage
- $59.10/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $125,330
- People employed
- 154,070
Versus all US occupations
At $122,930, Robotics Engineers earn 141% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $71,950 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 18% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $189,950 or more while the bottom 10% earn $66,810, a gap of 2.8×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 85% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New Mexico pays the most at $162,070, and still leads at $175,758 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Robotics Engineers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New Mexico | $162,070 | $175,758 | 2,190 |
| 2Alabama | $152,550 | $171,746 | 3,460 |
| 3District of Columbia | $151,920 | $138,234 | 3,560 |
| 4Virginia | $148,160 | $146,542 | 5,060 |
| 5Alaska | $142,390 | $139,108 | 200 |
| 6Washington | $134,570 | $125,751 | 3,580 |
| 7Colorado | $132,590 | $128,663 | 2,540 |
| 8New Jersey | $132,450 | $121,732 | 4,540 |
| 9Massachusetts | $131,260 | $124,115 | 2,850 |
| 10Idaho | $130,970 | $137,150 | 560 |
Job outlook
Is Robotics Software Engineer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +3.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Robotics Engineers | +3.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Robotics Engineers to change 3.7% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 6,200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 8,800 openings are projected each year, 5.3% of the 166,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Robotics Software Engineer
Most robotics software engineers have a bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or robotics, and many have a master's degree. Strong C++ and Python, linear algebra, control theory and probability are the foundations, along with experience in ROS.
University robotics labs, competitions such as FIRST Robotics and university rover or autonomous vehicle teams are classic ways to gain experience. The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society runs conferences and student programs. Employers look for people who have made software work on a real robot, not just in simulation.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as robotics engineers.
- Bachelor's Degree50%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree16.7%
- Master's Degree16.7%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate6.7%
- Doctoral Degree6.7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 50% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 16.7% |
| Master's Degree | 16.7% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 6.7% |
| Doctoral Degree | 6.7% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Robotics Software Engineer do?
Robotics software engineers write the code that makes robots useful. They build software for localization, which tells a robot where it is, motion planning, which works out how to move without hitting anything, and control, which turns plans into precise motor commands. Many use the Robot Operating System (ROS), an open-source framework for connecting sensors, algorithms and hardware.
The job moves between simulation and real hardware. Engineers test algorithms in simulators, then deploy them to physical robots and debug the gap between the two, which is where much of the difficulty lies. They work on warehouse robots, agricultural machines, surgical systems, drones, delivery robots and factory arms, alongside mechanical and electrical engineers.
Day-to-day tasks
- Write localization and mapping software
- Develop motion planning and control algorithms
- Integrate sensors such as cameras, lidar and encoders
- Build and maintain ROS software packages
- Test algorithms in simulation before hardware trials
- Debug robot behavior on the lab floor
- Write safety checks that stop robots under fault conditions
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Robotics software engineers work at robotics startups, logistics and manufacturing companies, medical device makers, agriculture technology firms, defense contractors and research labs. The work splits between a desk and a lab or test floor where robots run. Some roles involve field testing at warehouses, farms or outdoor sites. Remote work is limited because hardware is involved.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Active Listening3.9
- Monitoring3.9
- Writing3.8
- Mathematics3.8
- Active Learning3.8
- Learning Strategies3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.8 |
| Mathematics | 3.8 |
| Active Learning | 3.8 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Systems Analysis3.9
- Operations Monitoring3.6
- Troubleshooting3.6
- Quality Control Analysis3.6
- Time Management3.6
- Coordination3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.9 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.6 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.6 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.6 |
| Time Management | 3.6 |
| Coordination | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Content workflow software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- File versioning software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Process mapping and design software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Robotics Software Engineer?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code IRC) built on O*NET's Robotics Engineer profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Robotics Software Engineer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic6.2
- Investigative5.8
- Conventional4.6
- Artistic1.8
- Enterprising1.8
- Social1.5
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Robotics Software Engineer
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
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More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with robotics engineers highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Robotics Software Engineer$122,930
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Robotics Software Engineer | $122,930 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Robotics Software Engineer appears on
Questions
Robotics Software Engineer: frequently asked questions
How much do Robotics Engineers make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for robotics engineers. It counts them within robotics engineer, whose median pay is $122,930 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $90,970 and $158,090, and the top 10% earn $189,950 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Robotics Software Engineer?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Robotics Engineers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 50.0% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Robotics Software Engineer a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 3.7% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 8,800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Robotics Software Engineer do?
Robotics software engineers write the code that makes robots useful. A typical task: write localization and mapping software. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Content workflow software.
Which states pay Robotics Engineers the most?
The highest state medians for Robotics Engineers are New Mexico ($162,070), Alabama ($152,550), District of Columbia ($151,920) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Robotics Software Engineer?
O*NET scores Robotics Engineers highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.