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Job outlook for assistant technical engineers in the United States
Are assistant technical engineer jobs in demand?
Assistant technical engineer job and salary trends over time
Assistant technical engineer jobs over time
Assistant technical engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 567 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 647 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 681 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 709 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 714 | 0.00% |
Average assistant technical engineer salary over time
Assistant technical engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $102,867 | $49.46 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $100,982 | $48.55 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $98,237 | $47.23 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | $97,740 | $46.99 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $94,899 | $45.62 | +1.0% |
Assistant technical engineer jobs by state
Most common states for assistant technical engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 191 | 28% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 199 | 21% |
| 3 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,063 | 19% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 256 | 19% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,085 | 18% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 186 | 18% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 135 | 18% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 105 | 18% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 116 | 16% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 850 | 15% |
| 11 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,830 | 14% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,424 | 14% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 265 | 14% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 478 | 13% |
| 15 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,259 | 12% |
| 16 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,052 | 12% |
| 17 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 828 | 12% |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 710 | 12% |
| 19 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 363 | 12% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 107 | 12% |
Most common cities for assistant technical engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Bloomfield | 1 | 2% | $88,809 |
Assistant Technical Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of assistant technical engineer experts
Seattle University
University of Minnesota - Duluth
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Weber State University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Wilkes University
Duke University
University of San Diego
University of Wisconsin - Platteville
University of South Alabama
North Carolina State University
Xavier University
What will help Assistant Technical Engineers increase their earning potential?
Tzuyang Yu Ph.D.: A few tips to share with junior engineers are listed below. Be eager to learn from peers and other senior engineers, be open-minded to make friends, be adaptive to different cultures in the work environment, be professional (e.g., be punctual at deadlines, be mindful in appearance), be empathetic (focus on people, not mobile devices).
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Technical Engineer?
Kambiz Farahmand Ph.D., P.E.: After you proved yourself to your peers and supervisors, you can always ask your price. Otherwise, there are a lot of other companies that will meet your ask and value your abilities.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Technical Engineer?
Julie Brandis: Oregon State University provides support in salary negotiation, also students can work with mentors who are familiar with company hiring practices and wage structures. If you have internship experience, that can help to boost your starting salary.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Technical Engineer?
Davide Masato: The high demand for plastics engineers facilitates maximizing starting salaries. Graduates with co-op experience enjoy a competitive edge. To grow both as engineers and team members, young professionals should actively seek professional development opportunities. Continuous learning and seeking advancement within the organization or externally are key. Pursuing advanced degrees or certifications, even remotely, enhances qualifications and marketability.
Christopher Misorski FASM
Brunswick Technical Fellow-Materials Product Development & EngineeringWhat will help Assistant Technical Engineers increase their earning potential?
Christopher Misorski FASM: Maximizing salary potential at the start of your career is not a clear pathway generally. One way that you can be considered more valuable, and hence worth a better salary, is to have participated in a co-op or internship program with a company in your field. This experience gives employers some confidence that you were able to carry out assignments and thrive in a workplace environment. The employer that you worked for may be inclined to offer you a position upon graduation and you are now worth more because you have already proven to them your abilities. Even if they don’t offer you a job (no appropriate open position may be available) your ability to discuss your experiences with the HR recruiter or hiring manager at another company can instill confidence in your selection as a hire. Just remember, if you tell them you did a project, be prepared to explain it so it doesn’t appear you were just in the background of this project, just going along for the ride.
What Assistant Technical Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thomas Congedo PhD: That comes from your ability to focus on technical product of the highest quality, always seeking to truly understand the customer’s needs. For example, often a customer will phrase a problem by stating the solution he or she assumes. Taking the time to respectfully draw out the thinking further can make you the customer’s hero, and this makes you the person likely to be selected for the challenging and most rewarded assignments.
Jhon Smith
Associate Professor and Director of MS in Structural EngineeringSeattle University
Civil Engineering
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Technical Engineer?
Jhon Smith: Do not be afraid to ask questions to your supervisors (although do not take it to an extreme and become demanding—show initiative). You get the fundamentals of engineering at school and you are equipped to use them but it takes a few years to feel comfortable. Engineering is a profession of practice and it is only through practice that you best learn it.
What Assistant Technical Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jhon Smith: Expand your network, join professional organizations and committees, become valuable in whatever company you work for, never stop learning, seek for opportunities for professional work, get your PE license. After these you will become more valuable naturally and could comfortably ask for a promotion or a salary increase because you’d know you deserve it.
What will help Assistant Technical Engineers increase their earning potential?
Richard Davis: Engineering offers career opportunities across various industries, from technology and healthcare to infrastructure and environmental sustainability. With technological advancements and the increasing complexity of global challenges, such as climate change, food and clean water, and urbanization, engineers are in high demand to develop innovative solutions. For example, environmental engineers are crucial in developing sustainable solutions to reduce pollution and conserve resources. Engineering provides opportunities for creativity and problem-solving, making it a rewarding career choice for those who enjoy tackling complex problems. The global focus on sustainability and renewable energy presents exciting prospects for engineers to contribute to meaningful projects that positively impact society and the environment.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Technical Engineer?
Mishah Salman Ph.D.: An underappreciated skill that I think will become more sought-after is the ability to validate computer-made decisions and their shortcomings. With the growing prominence of AI use in design, problem solving, and decision making, the engineering field will need experts to error-check decisions made using these technologies. Sometimes there are unexplored gaps that these technologies overlook, and sometimes there are biases or inappropriate assumptions baked into AI-based results. Humans are inherently imaginative and creative. We excel at picking up on things that computer algorithms may miss. Talented experts that recognize and address these issues will remain invaluable in the workforce. Another indispensable skill that is often overlooked in engineering is effective interpersonal communication. Whether in a teamwork context, a leadership role, or a client interaction, competent communication is crucial. This can take the form of conversation, live presentations, written correspondence, and beyond. People that hone their communication skills are often recognized, and tend to be the individuals that are promoted to more senior roles.
What Assistant Technical Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mansooreh Mollaghasemi Ph.D.: Concurrent with building technical skills, they must build soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. These skills are often the differentiators between good and great engineers.
What will help Assistant Technical Engineers increase their earning potential?
Megumi Usui: Even after obtaining a degree, it is crucial to recognize that continuous learning is a fundamental aspect of professional development in the workplace. One must cultivate an open-minded attitude and demonstrate a willingness to acquire new knowledge and skills at any time and in any context. Effective communication with colleagues and clients is essential for successful collaboration and project execution. It is important to understand that the professional environment is significantly different from the academic setting. In a company, the focus is delivering work that meets the expectations and standards set by the employer and satisfies the needs of clients, rather than merely fulfilling personal criteria. Furthermore, it is imperative to produce high-quality work consistently. Mediocre performance is unacceptable, and organizations will not hesitate to seek replacements if the work delivered does not meet their standards. Ensuring that your work is thorough, precise, and aligns with the company's objectives is critical for maintaining the position and advancing their career.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Technical Engineer?
Michael Denn: 1. Become the expert in whatever you do. 2. Understand how your work fits into the bigger picture and keep that in mind when you do your work. 3. Keep learning! Your engineering degree is not the end of your education! 4. Take stretch assignments and opportunities whenever you can.
What will help Assistant Technical Engineers increase their earning potential?
Michael Denn: The answers to this question are largely the same as the answer to question 1. However, here are some additional points: 1. Excel in your job. Become the person everyone goes to for whatever type of work you do. 2. Develop and maintain a career plan. Make sure your assignments and tasks align with your plan. When you have the opportunity to change positions, keep you plan in mind.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Technical Engineer?
Marleen Troy Ph.D., P.E., BCEE: Plan to get your PE license. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and become proficient with a new skill or a new area of expertise. Continue to develop both your technical and leadership skills.
What Assistant Technical Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jimmie Lenz D.B.A.: Engineering encompasses so many areas of modern life that it’s impossible to provide a comprehensive answer here. The training that engineers receive, both the technical and the applied nature, make these individuals quite attractive to all types of industries. Perhaps the most surprising to many people are the significant number of engineers employed in financial services.
Dr. Imane Khalil
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Dean of Graduate ProgramsUniversity of San Diego
Mechanical Engineering
What Assistant Technical Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Imane Khalil: While technologies like AI and data science are becoming important across all sectors from medicine to engineering, the most crucial skill for any profession remains people skills. Continuously developing your interpersonal abilities, such as respecting colleagues, honesty, reliability, and effective communication, is the most important key to success at work.
What will help Assistant Technical Engineers increase their earning potential?
Prof. Harold Evensen: Engineering Physics students and graduates like gaining an understanding of the “physics” of why or how something works, and then applying this knowledge to make judgments and improvements. They also like learning and applying knowledge from several disciplines. A common “dislike” is beyond their control: some employers may not understand what “Engineering Physics” is, or may have incorrect preconceived notions. At UW-Platteville, employers are familiar with this major, which is approaching 30 years on campus. Additionally, faculty work with students on how to present their “story” to employers. Engineering Physics students need to be able to present their strengths and abilities to employers, and often can’t rely only on “name recognition.” In the long run, this is better, anyway. Overall, we have had success: among accredited Engineering Physics degree programs in the U.S., UW-Platteville puts the most graduates directly into industry!
Edmund Spencer
Associate ProfessorUniversity of South Alabama
Electrical, Electronics, And Communications Engineering
What Assistant Technical Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Edmund Spencer: Look for jobs that have the highest technical content, and try to develop entrepreneurial skills early.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Technical Engineer?
Daniel Armentrout: The excessive number of baby boomer engineers are retiring at high rates and you as a new engineering graduate are desperately needed to make up for their loss in the workforce. You will face challenges in your career we could not anticipate or prepare you for in your education. You will have to adapt and continue to learn new fields of study which did not exist when you graduated. We have given you tools to learn and you will have to use those tools to remain relevant throughout your career. Find your place as an engineer when you can be effective, help humanity, and have fun. Plot a career path where you can utilize your strengths and challenge your mind to do new things. Contribute to making a better world and you will be able to enjoy immense satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
What Assistant Technical Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alexey Gulyuk: Being an Engineer means to be educated in many fields and, what is even more important, to be able to get out of your initial field of expertise and quickly learn new things. In essence, good Engineer has no limits or can push through the limits. Being an engineer is to be a highly-skilled individual that works on impactful projects that solve real-world problems. Currently, Engineering is in high demand and the field will continue growth with further advancements of the technologies like biotech, data science, renewable and non-conventional energy. Lastly, Engineering allows us to stay up-to-date and being able to follow the trends in diverse career opportunities.
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer
Professor and ChairXavier University
Department Of Physics
What skills stand out on Assistant Technical Engineer resumes?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Programming languages, numerical design and simulation tools, knowledge of various measurement equipment.
What soft skills should all Assistant Technical Engineers possess?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Communication, teamwork.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Assistant Technical Engineers?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Depends on the engineering career, but in general, an ability to know how to use design software, measurement/testing, and analysis equipment, in addition to prototyping and fabrication tools
What skills will help Assistant Technical Engineers earn the most?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Problem-solving, troubleshooting, independent learner.