Robotics Technicians earn a median of $73,900 per year ($35.53/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 2.6% through 2035, with about 1,400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 17-3024
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Robotics Technician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $73,900a year, or $35.53/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $48KTop 10% $110K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.6%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,40015,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202515.7K
- Projected 203516.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 15.7K Projected 2035 16.2K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school9.1%
- Certificate22.7%
- Associate's45.5%
- Bachelor's18.2%
- Post-bacc certificate4.6%
Highest education held by robotics technicians Segment Value High school 9.1% Certificate 22.7% Associate's 45.5% Bachelor's 18.2% Post-bacc certificate 4.6%
Also advertised as: Automation Technician, Electrical and Instrumentation Technician (E and I Technician), Instrument and Automation Technician, Instrument Specialist, Instrument Technician, Instrumentation and Controls Technician.
Pay
How much do Robotics Technicians make?
Every robotics technician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$73,900
Middle half earn $59,780 to $88,540
- 10th
- $47,840
- 25th
- $59,780
- 75th
- $88,540
- 90th
- $109,890
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $47,840 |
| 25th | $59,780 |
| Median | $73,900 |
| 75th | $88,540 |
| 90th | $109,890 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $73,900
- Median hourly wage
- $35.53/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $76,420
- People employed
- 15,520
Versus all US occupations
At $73,900, Robotics Technicians earn 45% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $22,920 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 29% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $109,890 or more while the bottom 10% earn $47,840, a gap of 2.3×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 48% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New Mexico pays the most at $119,320, and still leads at $129,397 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Robotics Technicians 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 | $119,320 | $129,397 | 670 |
| 2North Dakota | $82,820 | $93,099 | 90 |
| 3Maine | $82,510 | $85,018 | N/A |
| 4Nevada | $82,010 | $82,027 | 220 |
| 5Connecticut | $81,860 | $79,008 | 140 |
| 6California | $81,550 | $73,654 | 1,850 |
| 7Washington | $81,220 | $75,897 | 570 |
| 8Arizona | $80,930 | $80,386 | 120 |
| 9Alaska | $80,290 | $78,440 | 40 |
| 10Illinois | $79,400 | $79,433 | 250 |
Job outlook
Is Robotics Technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +2.6% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Robotics Technicians | +2.6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Robotics Technicians to change 2.6% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,400 openings are projected each year, 8.9% of the 15,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Automation in manufacturing could affect this occupation in both positive and negative ways. An increase in autonomous systems and robotics is projected to increase demand for electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians to develop, produce, and operate them. However, automated equipment, testing, and design may replace some responsibilities of these workers.
Getting in
How to become a Robotics Technician
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians typically need either an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some 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 technicians.
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree45.5%
- Post-Secondary Certificate22.7%
- Bachelor's Degree18.2%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)9.1%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate4.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 45.5% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 22.7% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 18.2% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 9.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Robotics Technician do?
Build, install, test, or maintain robotic equipment or related automated production systems.
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians combine knowledge of mechanical technology with knowledge of electrical and electronic circuitry. They operate, test, and maintain unmanned, automated, robotic, or electromechanical equipment.
Day-to-day tasks
- Make repairs to robots or peripheral equipment, such as replacement of defective circuit boards, sensors, controllers, encoders, or servomotors.
- Maintain service records of robotic equipment or automated production systems.
- Align, fit, or assemble components, using hand tools, power tools, fixtures, templates, or microscopes.
- Attach wires between controllers.
- Troubleshoot robotic systems, using knowledge of microprocessors, programmable controllers, electronics, circuit analysis, mechanics, sensor or feedback systems, hydraulics, or pneumatics.
- Install, program, or repair programmable controllers, robot controllers, end-of-arm tools, or conveyors.
- Perform preventive or corrective maintenance on robotic systems or components.
- Test performance of robotic assemblies, using instruments such as oscilloscopes, electronic voltmeters, or bridges.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
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 seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. 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.
Where robotics technicians work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Engineering services13%
- Machinery manufacturing11%
- Computer and electronic product manufacturing11%
- Scientific research and development services10%
- Transportation equipment manufacturing9%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Engineering services | 13% |
| Machinery manufacturing | 11% |
| Computer and electronic product manufacturing | 11% |
| Scientific research and development services | 10% |
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | 9% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Active Listening3.8
- Writing3.3
- Speaking3.3
- Active Learning3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Mathematics3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Writing | 3.3 |
| Speaking | 3.3 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Troubleshooting4.0
- Repairing4.0
- Equipment Maintenance3.9
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Operations Monitoring3.8
- Quality Control Analysis3.6
- Operation and Control3.4
- Equipment Selection3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Troubleshooting | 4.0 |
| Repairing | 4.0 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.6 |
| Operation and Control | 3.4 |
| Equipment Selection | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP 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
- Project management 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 Technician?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Robotics Technician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| 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 organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.9
- Conventional4.7
- Investigative3.9
- Enterprising1.4
- Social1.1
- Artistic1.0
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 Technician
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician
$78,190median a year
Most earn $50K to $116K
+2.4%Associate's - Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologist and Technician
$73,900median a year
Most earn $48K to $110K
+2.6%Associate's - Architecture and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician
$74,510median a year
Most earn $48K to $106K
+1.3%Associate's - Architecture and Engineering
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician
$82,890median a year
Most earn $59K to $125K
+11.9%Associate's - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Electrical and Electronics Repairer, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
$74,090median a year
Most earn $47K to $106K
+0.3%Certificate
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with robotics technicians highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- 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
- Robotics Technician$73,900
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| 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 |
| Robotics Technician | $73,900 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within robotics technician
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Robotics Technician appears on
Questions
Robotics Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Robotics Technicians make?
Robotics Technicians earn a median of $73,900 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 45% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $35.53/hr. The middle half earn between $59,780 and $88,540. The top 10% earn $109,890 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Robotics Technician?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Robotics Technicians. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 45.5% hold associate's degree or other 2-year degree.
Is Robotics Technician a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 2.6% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Robotics Technician do?
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians combine knowledge of mechanical technology with knowledge of electrical and electronic circuitry. A core O*NET task: make repairs to robots or peripheral equipment, such as replacement of defective circuit boards, sensors, controllers, encoders, or servomotors. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Robotics Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Robotics Technicians are New Mexico ($119,320), North Dakota ($82,820), Maine ($82,510) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Robotics Technician?
O*NET scores Robotics Technicians highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.