How To Become A Mechanical Test Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is a mechanical test technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

John Irwin EdD

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a mechanical test technician. For example, did you know that they make an average of $19.22 an hour? That's $39,969 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 2% and produce 900 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a mechanical test technician?

John Irwin EdD

Chair, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Michigan Technological University

Engineering technology graduates are masters of technology, gaining a broad and deep understanding of the processes, systems, tools, and techniques necessary to construct, modify, operate, and maintain an engineering design. They act as technological integrators, bridging the gap between the skilled trades and engineering fundamentals. This is a great career path for those who enjoy engineering concepts but would rather spend time working with their hands solving specific technical issues than tackling broader, more complex design challenges.

ScoreMechanical Test TechnicianUS Average

Salary

3.1

Avg. Salary $39,969

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.0

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.68%

Asian 11.25%

Black or African American 8.83%

Hispanic or Latino 15.49%

Unknown 4.82%

White 58.93%

Gender

female 5.90%

male 94.10%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

6.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.3

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.5

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a mechanical test technician

Explore mechanical test technician education requirements

Most common mechanical test technician degrees

Associate

39.4 %

Bachelor's

30.6 %

High School Diploma

16.1 %

Start to develop specific mechanical test technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Test Equipment	10.32%
Mechanical Test	8.13%
Test Results	6.78%
Electro-mechanical	5.70%
Aerospace	5.64%

Complete relevant mechanical test technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New mechanical test technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a mechanical test technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real mechanical test technician resumes.

Research mechanical test technician duties and responsibilities

Install and manage windows applications for the user, maintain servers and manage help desk operations.
Provide feedback on ISO documentation and compliance.
Test and repair to PCB level and mechanical assembly levels of bone densitometers.
Be responsible for a variety of complex assembly operations including RF electromechanical assembly and PCB rework.

Prepare your mechanical test technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your mechanical test technician resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a mechanical test technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable mechanical test technician resume templates

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