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Job outlook for mechatronics engineers in the United States
Are mechatronics engineer jobs in demand?
Mechatronics engineer job and salary trends over time
Mechatronics engineer jobs over time
Mechatronics engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 75 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 79 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 82 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 82 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 78 | 0.00% |
Average mechatronics engineer salary over time
Mechatronics engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $75,419 | $36.26 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $73,971 | $35.56 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $73,085 | $35.14 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $71,838 | $34.54 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $70,425 | $33.86 | +0.7% |
Mechatronics engineer jobs by state
Most common states for mechatronics engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 478 | 69% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,506 | 22% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,755 | 21% |
| 4 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 858 | 21% |
| 5 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,493 | 20% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 187 | 19% |
| 7 | California | 39,536,653 | 7,274 | 18% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,119 | 18% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,027 | 18% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 814 | 15% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 203 | 15% |
| 12 | Vermont | 623,657 | 91 | 15% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 443 | 14% |
| 14 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 99 | 13% |
| 15 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 868 | 12% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 442 | 12% |
| 17 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 132 | 12% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 128 | 12% |
| 19 | Alaska | 739,795 | 90 | 12% |
| 20 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,117 | 11% |
Most common cities for mechatronics engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pasadena | 3 | 2% | $109,896 |
| 2 | Cupertino | 1 | 2% | $121,452 |
| 3 | Carlsbad | 1 | 1% | $104,877 |
| 4 | Fayetteville | 1 | 1% | $51,008 |
| 5 | Fort Smith | 1 | 1% | $50,792 |
| 6 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $76,264 |
| 7 | Fremont | 1 | 0% | $121,610 |
| 8 | Greensboro | 1 | 0% | $68,389 |
Mechatronics Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of mechatronics engineer experts
Marshall University
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
Weber State University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of Alaska Fairbanks
What Mechatronics Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mohammed Daqaq: Given its breadth, I feel that ME is the most versatile engineering degree. It covers many different fundamental fields including thermofluidic sciences, dynamical systems, controls, design, mechatronics, robotics, etc. With minor additional training, ME graduates can also easily adapt to work in the aerospace industry, nuclear, and bioengineering domains. Thus, an ME degree is always trendy and companies seek to hire ME graduates regardless of how the market changes.
What will help Mechatronics Engineers increase their earning potential?
Mohammed Daqaq: It depends on what aspect of the job they are hired to do. Some graduating MEs work in industrial plants where they are expected to deal with and fix engineering related problems, or work on the design and testing of innovative industrial solutions. Many MEs end up in the sales and maintenance departments of companies that manufacture specialized machinery and equipment. Some ME graduates are hired by the research departments of companies and federal labs where they participate in the research and development of new technologies, etc. A recent trend that we have been observing with our graduates is that they are being sought after by major consulting companies especially in business development and finance. Such companies like the versatility of the engineering education, and the logical/structured way of thinking that engineers are trained to follow during their studies.
Dr. Yousef Sardahi
Associate Professor of Mechanical EngineeringMarshall University
Engineering
What will help Mechatronics Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Yousef Sardahi: To maximize salary potential in mechanical engineering, focus on companies with growth opportunities, develop in-demand skills and specializations, and enhance your marketability through continuous learning and effective networking. Negotiating skills and considering geographical influences on salary also play a key role.
What Mechatronics Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Yousef Sardahi: In the next 3-5 years, several skills are expected to become increasingly important in the mechanical engineering field:
Advanced Computational Skills: Proficiency in simulation and modeling software (like ANSYS, SolidWorks, or MATLAB) will be crucial as these tools become more integral in designing and testing complex systems.
Robotics and Automation: With industries moving towards automation, skills in robotics, automated systems, and knowledge of AI integration will be highly sought after.
Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing: Expertise in 3D printing and additive manufacturing techniques will be valuable as these technologies revolutionize product development and manufacturing processes.
Renewable Energy Technologies: As the world shifts towards sustainable energy sources, mechanical engineers with knowledge in solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies will be in high demand.
Data Analysis and IoT: Skills in data analytics and understanding the Internet of Things (IoT) will be important as more mechanical systems are connected and produce large amounts of data.
Materials Science: Knowledge in advanced materials, such as composites or smart materials, will be crucial for developing more efficient and sustainable products and systems.
Systems Engineering and Integration: The ability to understand and integrate various subsystems within a larger system will be key, especially in complex projects.
Project Management and Leadership: As projects become more complex, skills in project management and leadership will be essential for overseeing projects and leading teams effectively.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The ability to work effectively across disciplines, understanding aspects of electrical engineering, computer science, and even business, will be increasingly important.
Communication and Soft Skills: Strong communication skills, both for technical and non-technical audiences, along with teamwork and problem-solving skills, will always be invaluable in the engineering field.
Uises Gonzalez-Valle
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
What will help Mechatronics Engineers increase their earning potential?
Uises Gonzalez-Valle: The beginning of professional life is not simple independent of the career path that you follow and ME and MET can have their own complications. However, some good advice would be to develop independence and adaptability which are key traits of an engineer, and always keep yourself updated with the most recent technological developments. If you are independent and adaptable, you have all the skills to learn and further your professional development. In addition, I would say it is essential to start building a network, including peers and mentors. Having a strong network of peers and mentors helps you significantly to progress in your professional line. From day-to-day to daily changing decisions, having a strong network to support would significantly help in building your professional path. Lastly, I would say that having a good Work-life balance is vital too, since our personal life is as important as our professional life. Remember, we should work to live instead of live to work.
Mike DeVore Ph.D.
Professor & Program ChairCincinnati State Technical & Community College
Mechanical Engineering Technology
What hard/technical skills are most important for Mechatronics Engineers?
Mike DeVore Ph.D.: -Computer-Aided Design
-Knowledge of manufacturing processes
-A good mathematics foundation
-Technical communication
-Problem solving
What will help Mechatronics Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. A. Tye Gardner Ph.D.: Getting a master's degree goes a long way to making candidates stand out and improving earnings. My recommendation is to tailor your MS degree to the specific field you're interested in working in, because employers really want to see candidates that are passionate about the field, and very few people survive a graduate degree without at least a little passion. Available salary data indicates that if you choose an affordable program (let's just say Weber State University), it takes only a few years to pay off the added cost, increases starting salaries, and dramatically improves long-term earning potential. Moreover, you can find electrical engineers with MBAs at C-level positions all over the country. It turns out being an EE makes you a good candidate for business leadership.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Mechatronics Engineers?
Dr. Mingshao Zhang: Most of the graduates are able to secure the job they wanted. However, for this year, the number of positions are very limited. Most companies canceled their positions due to the uncertainties in their own future. There are definitely many long-lasting impacts. In many aspects, the pandemic changes the working environment, forever. For Engineering students, especially in Mechatronics and Robotics, the students need to recognize that the opportunities outweigh the challenges.
What type of skills will young Mechatronics Engineers need?
Dr. Mingshao Zhang: Interdisciplinary knowledge base. Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering is a rapidly changing industry, with or without the pandemic. The students need to have a good background in many disciplines, as well as the ability to acquire and apply new knowledge.
What experience really stands out on Mechatronics Engineer resumes?
Dr. Mingshao Zhang: Internship and Co-op (Cooperative Education) experiences that related to the industry.
Charles Jenckes
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte
Mechanical Engineering
What skills stand out on Mechatronics Engineer resumes?
Charles Jenckes: For new graduates
1.Where the candidate went to school and what was studied
2.GPA
3.Any successful internships
4.Projects completed by the student
How would you rate the starting salaries for Mechatronics Engineers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Daisy Huang: Above average, but you won't be a millionaire easily (you can with some effort, saving, and investing well). It is very unlikely you'll ever be *super* wealthy, but it's also very unlikely you'll ever not find employment in your field. You'll have a solid ticket to a modestly comfortable life, with some luxuries, too.