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Robot operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a robot operator. Robot operators usually study business, general studies, or electrical engineering. 48% of robot operators hold a high school diploma, and 20% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,388 real robot operator resumes to see exactly what robot operator education sections show.

The most common colleges for robot operators are the Western Kentucky University and the Western Kentucky University.

There are also many online robot operator courses to help get the education required to be a robot operator.

What education do you need to become a robot operator?

What degree do you need to be a robot operator?

The most common degree for robot operators is high school diploma, with 48% of robot operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 20% and associate degree degree at 16%.
  • High School Diploma, 48%
  • Associate, 20%
  • Bachelor's, 16%
  • Diploma, 11%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a robot operator?

You should major in business to become a robot operator. 21% of robot operators major in business. Other common majors for a robot operator include general studies and electrical engineering.

Most common colleges for robot operators

Robot operators often get their degrees at Western Kentucky University, Baker College, and Vincennes University. Here are the most common colleges for robot operators in the US based on their resumes.
Robot operator common collegePercentages
Western Kentucky University9.62%
Baker College9.62%
Vincennes University7.69%
University of Wisconsin Colleges7.69%
Northeastern University7.69%

Best majors for robot operators

Best colleges for robot operators

The best colleges for robot operators are Rochester Institute of Technology, Liberty University, and SUNY College of Technology at Alfred.

A robot operator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for robot operators. 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 robot operators.

1. Dunwoody College of Technology

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$22,046

Enrollment

1,294

2. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$42,345

Enrollment

12,886

3. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,570

Enrollment

3,721

4. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Delhi, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,360

Enrollment

3,142

5. University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$11,000

Enrollment

25,973

6. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$11,788

Enrollment

11,008

7. Siena Heights University

Adrian, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$27,124

Enrollment

2,035

8. University of Alaska Southeast

Juneau, AK • Private

In-state tuition

$7,092

Enrollment

1,216

9. Northern Michigan University

Marquette, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,729

Enrollment

6,722

10. Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$22,584

Enrollment

45,370

20 best online courses for robot operators

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1. Robotics: Aerial Robotics

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How can we create agile micro aerial vehicles that are able to operate autonomously in cluttered indoor and outdoor environments? You will gain an introduction to the mechanics of flight and the design of quadrotor flying robots and will be able to develop dynamic models, derive controllers, and synthesize planners for operating in three dimensional environments. You will be exposed to the challenges of using noisy sensors for localization and maneuvering in complex, three-dimensional...

2. Modern Robotics, Course 2: Robot Kinematics

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Do you want to know how robots work? Are you interested in robotics as a career? Are you willing to invest the effort to learn fundamental mathematical modeling techniques that are used in all subfields of robotics? If so, then the "Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and Control" specialization may be for you. This specialization, consisting of six short courses, is serious preparation for serious students who hope to work in the field of robotics or to undertake advanced study. It is not a...

3. Hands-On Robotics with Arduino, Build 13 robot projects

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4.4
(1,204)

Using Arduino build a Voice control robot, Black line follower, Light follower/repeller robot, Smartphone control robot...

4. ROS2 Robotics Developer Course - Using ROS2 In Python

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4.8
(293)

Gain expertise in the latest version of the Robot Operating System (ROS 2) in Python to program your own robots...

5. Learn Robot Studio

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4.3
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Industrial Robot Jogging & Programming using Virtual Teach Pendant...

6. Data Quality Fundamentals

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4.2
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Understand key concepts, principles and terminology related to Data Quality...

7. Data Quality Masterclass - The Complete Course

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Learn Data Quality Management from A to Z. This complete guide covers all Data Quality Principles, Techniques and more...

8. Robotic Drives & Physics: Robotics, learn by building III

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With over 45,000 enrolled in the first two courses, and over a 4.6 star rating!...

9. 7 Quality Tools for Quality Management and Improvements.

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A complete Crash Course on the 7 Basic Tools for Quality Management and its Implementation using MS Excel...

10. Autonomous Robots: Kalman Filter

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11. Certified Quality Process Analyst Training

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12. Quality Systems, Models and Theories

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Understand, Develop and Implement Quality Systems for Success and Profit...

13. Mastering the Seven Quality Tools (with Microsoft Excel)

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A Deep Dive into the theory and application of the 7 Quality Tools for root cause analysis and continuous improvement...

14. Complete UiPath RPA Developer Course: Build 7 Robots

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Master Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Ui Path - go from beginner to advanced...

15. ROS For Beginners (ROS Noetic, Melodic, Kinetic)

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Master the Key ROS (Robot Operating System) Concepts to Create Powerful and Scalable Robot Applications, Step By Step...

16. Robotic Process Automation: RPA Overview + Build a Robot

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Learn the key elements of RPA and build your first software robot in less than half a workday!...

17. Electricity & electronics - Robotics, learn by building

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Over 31,000 enrolled! Open career opportunities and have fun learning electronics focused on building robots/automation!...

18. Robot Framework Test Automation - Saucelabs Integration

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Run Robot Framework tests in the cloud on different OS, browser, or mobile device combinations!...

19. Quality Management Systems:Management and Control of Quality

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Learn to Build, Implement, and Sustain a Performance Excellence Culture into Your Organisation...

20. Robot Framework with Python- Selenium/API Automation Testing

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Build Selenium UI & API Tests in fastest & easiest way using Robot Framework from this Step by step tutorial...

Top 10 most affordable universities for robot operators

The most affordable schools for robot operators are Brigham Young University - Idaho, abraham baldwin agricultural college, and university of new mexico.

If the best universities for robot operators 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 robot operators.

1. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

In-state tuition

$4,118

Cost of attendance

12,223

2. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Tifton, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$3,503

Cost of attendance

12,843

3. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,633

Cost of attendance

19,235

4. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,570

Cost of attendance

23,713

5. Siena Heights University

Adrian, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$27,124

Cost of attendance

37,423

6. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Delhi, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,360

Cost of attendance

23,486

7. Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$22,584

Cost of attendance

38,076

8. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$11,788

Cost of attendance

22,715

9. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$42,345

Cost of attendance

54,334

10. Eastern New Mexico University

Portales, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$6,326

Cost of attendance

17,330

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for robot operators

The hardest universities for robot operators to get into are Rochester Institute of Technology, Liberty University, and SUNY College of Technology at Alfred.

Some great schools for robot operators 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 robot operators 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. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,319

2. Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,133

3. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

Admissions rate

63%

SAT average

1,071

4. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

1,120

5. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,140

6. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Delhi, NY • Private

Admissions rate

64%

SAT average

1,011

7. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

8. Montana Technological University

Butte, MT • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,199

9. Northern Michigan University

Marquette, MI • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,091

10. Utah State University

Logan, UT • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,201

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for robot operators

The easiest schools for robot operators to get into are Brigham Young University - Idaho, liberty university, and suny college of technology at delhi.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a robot operator 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 robot operators.

1. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,140

2. Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,133

3. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Delhi, NY • Private

Admissions rate

64%

SAT average

1,011

4. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

1,120

5. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

Admissions rate

63%

SAT average

1,071

6. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,319

7. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

8. Montana Technological University

Butte, MT • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,199

9. Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,022

10. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Tifton, GA • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,032

Average robot operator salary by education level

Robot operators with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $42,143 annually. With a Associate degree, robot operators earn a median annual income of $40,995 compared to $40,156 for robot operators with an High School Diploma degree.
Robot operator education levelRobot operator salary
High School Diploma or Less$40,156
Bachelor's Degree$42,143
Some College/ Associate Degree$40,995

Robot operator education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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