Mechanical test technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a mechanical test technician. Mechanical test technicians usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or mechanical engineering. 39% of mechanical test technicians hold a associate degree, and 31% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 410 real mechanical test technician resumes to see exactly what mechanical test technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for mechanical test technicians are the Northeastern University and the Northeastern University.

There are also many online mechanical test technician courses to help get the education required to be a mechanical test technician.

What education do you need to become a mechanical test technician?

What degree do you need to be a mechanical test technician?

The most common degree for mechanical test technicians is associate degree, with 39% of mechanical test technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 31% and bachelor's degree degree at 16%.

Associate, 39%

Bachelor's, 31%

High School Diploma, 16%

Diploma, 9%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a mechanical test technician?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a mechanical test technician. 22% of mechanical test technicians major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a mechanical test technician include electrical engineering technology and mechanical engineering.

Electrical Engineering, 22%

Electrical Engineering Technology, 17%

Mechanical Engineering, 9%

Automotive Technology, 9%

Other Majors, 43%

Most common colleges for mechanical test technicians

Mechanical test technicians often get their degrees at Northeastern University, DeVry University, and San Jose State University. Here are the most common colleges for mechanical test technicians in the US based on their resumes.

Mechanical test technician common college	Percentages
Northeastern University	15.38%
DeVry University	10.26%
San Jose State University	7.69%
Trine University	5.13%
New Jersey Institute of Technology	5.13%

Show more common mechanical test technician colleges

Best majors for mechanical test technicians

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Electrical Engineering	22.1%
2	Electrical Engineering Technology	17.4%
3	Mechanical Engineering	8.7%
4	Automotive Technology	8.7%
5	Business	6.4%

Show more common mechanical test technician majors

Best colleges for mechanical test technicians

The best colleges for mechanical test technicians are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Stanford University.

A mechanical test technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for mechanical test technicians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become mechanical test technicians.

1. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

2. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

3. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

4. Wentworth Institute of Technology

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$33,950

Enrollment

4,254

5. New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$6,686

Enrollment

11,139

6. University of Akron

Akron, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$11,463

Enrollment

13,676

7. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

In-state tuition

$10,118

Enrollment

3,558

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Enrollment

24,841

10. University of Maine

Orono, ME • Private

In-state tuition

$11,170

Enrollment

8,861

20 best online courses for mechanical test technicians

Advertising disclosure

1. Modelling and simulation of mechanical systems

The course provides the principles of modelling and simulation of modern mechatronic systems, which are mechanical systems integrated with several types of sensors and actuators. The aim of the course is to show different methodologies to improve the potential of mechanical systems by transforming them into mechatronic systems based on virtual models. In particular, the lessons will be focused on case studies in three engineering fields: robotics, controlled electro-hydraulic actuators and...

2. Quantum Mechanics

Course 2 of Statistical Thermodynamics presents an introduction to quantum mechanics at a level appropriate for those with mechanical or aerospace engineering backgrounds. Using a postulatory approach that describes the steps to follow, the Schrodinger wave equation is derived and simple solutions obtained that illustrate atomic and molecular structural behavior. More realistic behavior is also explored along with modern quantum chemistry numerical solution methods for solving the wave equation...

3. The Complete Engineering Mechanics Course

4.5

(311)

Master the fundamentals of mechanics, statics and applied physics and then solve real-world mechanics problems...

4. Mechanics / Statics - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering

4.5

(263)

Engineering Solid Mechanics / Engineering Statics...

5. Quantum Mechanics for Engineers

This Specialization is intended for engineers seeking to acquire fundamental understanding of quantum mechanics which are the basis of modern electrical, mechanical and quantum engineering. Through 3 courses, you will learn (1) basic concepts such as superposition and entanglement of quantum states, measurement in quantum mechanics and uncertainty principle, (2) mathematical tools needed to describe and manipulate quantum states, (3) advanced theory of angular momentum and (4) approximation...

6. Mechanical design and Product development process

4.2

(604)

Learn the basic ideas and concepts behind developing mechanical products related to mechanical engineering...

7. Engineering Mechanics: Statics

4.8

(611)

The Study of Objects in Equilibrium...

8. Python for Mechanical Engineers

4.3

(444)

Learn Python to solve problems in mechanical fields...

9. Software Testing:Effective Test Case Writing & Formatting

4.4

(609)

Must for all Manual Testers Standard Test Case Format Manual Testing Concepts Test Case Designing Techniques...

10. Basics of Material selection for mechanical design engineers

4.4

(542)

Learn about the fundamentals of materials and their selection for mechanical engineering design for design engineers...

11. Flight Mechanics - From Theory to Certification of Aircraft

4.5

(403)

Modeling theory, aircraft 6DOF simulation, flight dynamics, flight simulators and aircraft certification...

12. Diesel Engine Fundamentals (Mechanical Engineering)

4.6

(374)

Learn about the diesel engine! Ideal for Automotive Engineering and Automobile Engineering!...

13. Non-Destructive Testing Level II Full Course NDT Course

4.2

(266)

Learn all the NDT level II testing methods and earn a valuable certification. Quizzes and interview questions included...

14. Software Testing,QA Testing, Manual Testing,SDLC,Test Plan

4.2

(1,574)

Become an expert QA Tester by mastering software testing, manual testing, SDLC, test plan and test case concepts....

15. Hacking and Penetration Testing from Scratch with METASPLOIT

4.1

(341)

Learn how to test security mechanisms and how to conduct penetration tests on working machines or databases. Hacking 101...

16. Complete Manual Software Testing + Web Testing + App Testing

4.4

(330)

Learn Basic to Advance Software Testing and Become a Software Testing Pro...

17. Practical - ISTQB - Test Automation Engineer Course 2023

4.1

(261)

Learn the concepts, methods and tools to pass the ISTQB - Advanced Level - Test Automation Engineer Certification Exam...

18. Android Testing: Unit Tests, Hilt, ViewModels and more!

4.5

(472)

Learn Android Testing with Kotlin: Unit tests, Hilt testing, View Model, Fragment, Room, Repos, Test Doubles included!...

19. Test Automation Foundations

4.3

(1,161)

Learn everything you need to kick-start your Test Automation Career...

20. Testing React apps with React Testing Library (RTL)

4.4

(771)

Learn how to test React components with React Testing Library, the recommended library from Facebook for testing...

Top 10 most affordable universities for mechanical test technicians

The most affordable schools for mechanical test technicians are SUNY Farmingdale, university of florida, and university of puerto rico - mayaguez.

If the best universities for mechanical test technicians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for mechanical test technicians.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

5. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

6. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

7. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

8. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

9. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for mechanical test technicians

The hardest universities for mechanical test technicians to get into are Northwestern University, Northeastern University, and Stanford University.

Some great schools for mechanical test technicians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for mechanical test technicians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

4. Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

51%

SAT average

1,395

5. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

7. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,517

8. Tufts University

Medford, MA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,461

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,309

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for mechanical test technicians

The easiest schools for mechanical test technicians to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, pennsylvania state university - altoona, and texas a&m; university - corpus christi.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a mechanical test technician without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for mechanical test technicians.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,094

3. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,068

4. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

5. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois

DuBois, PA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,079

6. Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Reading, PA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,107

7. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

8. Pennsylvania State University - New Kensington

New Kensington, PA • Private

Admissions rate

80%

SAT average

1,091

9. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

10. Pennsylvania State University - Hazleton

Hazleton, PA • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,046

Average mechanical test technician salary by education level

Mechanical test technicians with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $41,734 annually. With a Associate degree, mechanical test technicians earn a median annual income of $40,966 compared to $40,692 for mechanical test technicians with an Bachelor's degree.

Mechanical test technician education level	Mechanical test technician salary
Master's Degree	$41,734
High School Diploma or Less	$39,862
Bachelor's Degree	$40,692
Some College/ Associate Degree	$40,966

Mechanical test technician education FAQs

What is the best college for Mechanical Test Technicians?

Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.

Search for mechanical test technician jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse architecture and engineering jobs