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Job outlook for robotics engineers in the United States
Are robotics engineer jobs in demand?
Robotics engineer job and salary trends over time
Robotics engineer jobs over time
Robotics engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,130 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,133 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,133 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,056 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 978 | 0.00% |
Average robotics engineer salary over time
Robotics engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $101,208 | $48.66 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $96,960 | $46.62 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $94,943 | $45.65 | --0.3% |
| 2022 | $95,207 | $45.77 | --0.1% |
| 2021 | $95,256 | $45.80 | +1.5% |
Robotics engineer jobs by state
Most common states for robotics engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 228 | 33% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 751 | 11% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 849 | 10% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 96 | 10% |
| 5 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 651 | 9% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 517 | 9% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 424 | 8% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 343 | 8% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 114 | 8% |
| 10 | California | 39,536,653 | 2,936 | 7% |
| 11 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 601 | 6% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 329 | 6% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 179 | 6% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 120 | 6% |
| 15 | Alaska | 739,795 | 43 | 6% |
| 16 | Vermont | 623,657 | 35 | 6% |
| 17 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 230 | 5% |
| 18 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 192 | 5% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 56 | 5% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 31 | 5% |
Most common cities for robotics engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Smith | 4 | 5% | $96,678 |
| 2 | Belmont | 1 | 4% | $131,484 |
| 3 | Cupertino | 2 | 3% | $131,146 |
| 4 | Natick | 1 | 3% | $107,688 |
| 5 | Huntsville | 3 | 2% | $112,065 |
| 6 | Pasadena | 3 | 2% | $120,351 |
| 7 | Cambridge | 2 | 2% | $107,579 |
| 8 | San Jose | 6 | 1% | $130,971 |
| 9 | Pittsburgh | 2 | 1% | $86,435 |
| 10 | Sunnyvale | 2 | 1% | $131,197 |
| 11 | Wichita | 2 | 1% | $84,840 |
| 12 | Frederick | 1 | 1% | $102,860 |
| 13 | Rochester Hills | 1 | 1% | $79,625 |
| 14 | Rockville | 1 | 1% | $102,874 |
| 15 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $85,740 |
| 16 | Fremont | 1 | 0% | $131,256 |
| 17 | Oakland | 1 | 0% | $131,641 |
Robotics Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of robotics engineer experts
Marshall University
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Xavier University
Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
Carnegie Mellon University
Weber State University
East Tennessee State University
University of Delaware
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of San Francisco
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Liberty University
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Northern Michigan University
Villanova University
Elon University
Merrimack College
Jiayue Shen
Mechanical Engineering Technology Program CoordinatorWhat will help Robotics Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jiayue Shen: In the next 3-5 years, skills such as electronic control, basic programming, and critical thinking will become increasingly important in the field of Mechanical Engineering Technology. As industries like robotics, automation, and semiconductors continue to grow, professionals will need to be well-versed in these areas to stay competitive. Additionally, skills such as collaboration and effective oral and written communication will be crucial for advancing in one's career.
Dr. Yousef Sardahi
Associate Professor of Mechanical EngineeringMarshall University
Engineering
What Robotics 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.
What will help Robotics 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.
Uises Gonzalez-Valle
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
What will help Robotics 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.
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer
Professor and ChairXavier University
Department Of Physics
What skills stand out on Robotics Engineer resumes?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Programming languages, numerical design and simulation tools, knowledge of various measurement equipment.
What soft skills should all Robotics Engineers possess?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Communication, teamwork.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Robotics 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 Robotics Engineers earn the most?
Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer: Problem-solving, troubleshooting, independent learner.
Mike DeVore Ph.D.
Professor & Program ChairCincinnati State Technical & Community College
Mechanical Engineering Technology
What hard/technical skills are most important for Robotics Engineers?
Mike DeVore Ph.D.: -Computer-Aided Design
-Knowledge of manufacturing processes
-A good mathematics foundation
-Technical communication
-Problem solving
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Robotics Engineers?
John Dolan: The short answer is no. Although there were some effects back when COVID hit in March 2020, with robotics companies having to lay off some newer employees, the general economy seems to be recovering pretty well, and robotics companies continue to do well. In fact, some robotics companies are more in demand as a result of the coronavirus, since their products allow machines to go into areas where humans can't owing to virus restrictions.
What's a day at work look like for a Robotics Engineer?
John Dolan: Many companies are starting employees in virtual mode, then moving them to the company's geographical location at a later time. So, in some cases graduating students may stay put in the city where they studied for some time before joining their company in a different part of the country. Since a lot of robotics work can be done in simulation and software, the actual content of work for many jobs is not drastically affected by coronavirus restrictions, though virtual meetings are not the same as face-to-face ones. However, ultimately you have to build and physically test robots. The good news it that a lot of such testing is done outdoors, where coronavirus restrictions are not as onerous.
What will help Robotics Engineers increase their earning potential?
John Dolan: Two things come immediately to mind: machine learning and software. Machine learning is being used in all kinds of situations, and robotics is no exception, with major application in perception, behaviors, planning, and other aspects. Most robotics jobs also call for a solid understanding of software, so a good knowledge of C++ and/or Python programming, libraries, testing/validation and software engineering is a big plus.
What will help Robotics 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.
Jared Wilson
Assistant Professor and Faculty CoordinatorEast Tennessee State University
Surveying and Mapping
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Robotics Engineers to find work opportunities?
Jared Wilson: Within the field of land surveying and related employment opportunities, work is available. However, in my experience, work may not be in the exact location a person wishes to live. So, a move may be necessary, or potentially traveling to where the work is located. Should a graduate, or person for that matter, want to work, work is available.
How do you envision technology impacting Robotics Engineers in the next 5 years?
Jared Wilson: Technology is rapidly changing many professional fields, and land surveying is not immune from the change; however, it is not technology that makes the professional decisions necessary for the field; it is the individual. Technology is a tool, and as such, the correct tool needs to be selected for the task at hand. My opinion is that technology will drive the speed of data collection and analysis, but it has been and will be the professional who ultimately makes the final decisions.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Robotics Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Ajay Prasad: Medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and most consumer goods are still strong. The pandemic is also unlikely to slow the demand in areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and virtual reality. While more manufacturing jobs are believed to return to the U.S., this likely will drive innovation for the automation of manufacturing processes. Going forward, demand is likely to be strong in infrastructure, renewable energy, automotive, and aerospace industries.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Robotics 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 Robotics 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 Robotics 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 Robotics 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
What Robotics Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Cary Lai Ph.D.: Bioinformatics is a growing field. Individuals who are able to code well and who have a good understanding of biological principles are in high demand. More experiments at biotechnology companies are being performed using robotics. Scientists in biotechnology companies are also interested in using AI to further their research, but seem to be unsure on how AI is best used. Use of AI in biotechnology companies could grow to be a very important part of the field (if they figure out how they exactly will use it).
How would you rate the starting salaries for Robotics 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.
Dr. Sohrab Asgarpoor
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, Professor of Electrical and Computer EngineeringUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln
College of Engineering
How do you envision technology impacting Robotics Engineers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Sohrab Asgarpoor: Adopting new technology should be an exciting (and expected) reality for those with an engineering degree. The virtual space will continue to grow as folks seek jobs and work online more. But what holds paramount, no matter what particular technological changes arise, is the ability to adapt-and to demonstrate that critical aptitude in their application documents and through their interviews, always highlighting those moments they've done so and articulating their propensity for learning.
What experience really stands out on Robotics Engineer resumes?
Robert Rich: -Certification such as green belt, black-belt, machine learning, Lean Manufacturing, and APICS supply chain/inventory
-Specialized undergraduate research projects that go deep into various leading-edge topics like integrating AI with manufacturing and logistics
-Consulting experience/real projects within areas of undergraduate research
Dr. Galen Duree
Head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering and ProfessorRose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Department of Physics and Optical Engineering
What experience really stands out on Robotics Engineer resumes?
Dr. Galen Duree: It depends on what you are applying for. If you are working on product development, then internships or co-ops provide a definite advantage. If you are working on developing new ways of doing things, research experiences in academia or companies are advantageous. Either case, this shows a certain maturity in your career path - you have participated in an activity related to the career you are currently pursuing.
What Robotics Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Galen Duree: It again depends on what the graduate sees as their next step - graduate school or a job with a company or lab. If the next step is graduate school, the graduate should investigate what they are interested in pursuing and then where the best school is to get the experience that the graduate thinks he or she wants.
General reading about technologies or reading available articles about subjects the graduate is interested in will help generate questions they can ask potential graduate schools. This time would also be a chance to improve areas where the graduate may feel weak while an undergraduate. Many online resources can help them brush up on week background topics. Do not worry about transfer credits because that is usually not helpful in graduate school, but improve knowledge and experience in areas where the graduate feels weak. If the graduate has identified a graduate school and program to study in, the graduate school might have some recommendations about what to review. All of this will help improve success in graduate school.
If the next step is a job with a company or lab, taking courses to improve communication will help. Many technically competent or even technically brilliant people struggle with effective communication. Techniques about writing reports, making oral presentations, or communicating technical information will help improve success. The gap year also provides time to investigate technologies that the graduate wants to be involved in and the companies or labs in those areas.
Once the graduate has identified areas of interest and companies or labs that the graduate might want to work for, they can be contacted to either answer questions or point the graduate in a direction for further investigation.
In either case, a gap year can provide a chance to refine the graduate's choice for the next steps and help them prepare other skills overlooked during the undergraduate years.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Robotics Engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Galen Duree: People with knowledge, even introductory experience, in quantum effects, quantum computing, optics in general (communication, measurements, imaging, illumination, detection), material science and engineering, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, will be in high demand.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Robotics Engineers?
Michael Rudisill: It depends on what you really mean by enduring, but for all practical purposes, once the pandemic has passed, the economy will return, and anyone in the engineering field who wants a job will have many opportunities. Obviously, the short-term effect can be brutal for new graduates as jobs are not as plentiful as "usual"-but in the long term, those that persevere will end up in great careers. In some ways, it will be harder on the senior engineers who haven't stayed employed, as they are missing out on years when their income should be the highest. New graduates are missing relatively low earning years, so the long-term effects should not be as bad looking at lifetime earnings.
How do you envision technology impacting Robotics Engineers in the next 5 years?
Michael Rudisill: Technology will continue to advance-which will increase the need for trained engineers. Even areas such as sales that not many people would think would be looking for engineers when dealing with technologically advanced products need people who understand how the product works, perform, etc.-in other words-trained engineers.
What general advice would you give to a Robotics Engineer?
Michael Rudisill: Patience will be a key - there will be many jobs available - we have been contacted by several employers looking for grads. Still, it certainly is not like we have seen historically. As the economy comes out of the COVID recession, engineering jobs will come back very quickly. By the spring graduation, I think we will be pretty close to back to a somewhat familiar employment picture.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Robotics Engineers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Michael Rudisill: From what we've seen, salaries haven't been reduced, even though demand is down. I would expect wages and salary progression to remain strong as the need for engineering will only continue to grow.
Dr. Sridhar Santhanam Ph.D.
Professor and ChairVillanova University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Robotics Engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Sridhar Santhanam Ph.D.: Mechanical engineering is a vast and diverse field. There are several trends in technologies that are driving changes that will impact the short term. Automation is and will continue to be a significant force in many mechanical engineering industries. This is particularly true in manufacturing, where robots and digital manufacturing make substantial gains in productivity possible. Additive manufacturing will continue to transition from being a prototyping tool to an established manufacturing method for many critical products. The use of machine learning and artificial intelligence will become more prevalent in all sub-disciplines of mechanical engineering as engineers seek to take advantage of big data and sophisticated algorithms to optimize processes. Sustainability will be a dominant theme in the future and impact manufacturing, energy production, and modes of transportation.
What type of skills will young Robotics Engineers need?
John Ring: While our universities consistently educate engineering students with hard skills and strong engineering fundamentals, tomorrow's engineers need to be strong communicators, collaborators, and critical thinkers. Our professional environments are filled with data and information, and the constraint is typically how much time individuals can dedicate to solving a problem. At Elon University, we educate tomorrow's engineers to have the hard skills necessary to analyze the information and situations, apply critical thinking techniques to determine ways to solve the issue, and then concisely and efficiently communicate with colleagues as solutions are being set in motion.
How do you envision technology impacting Robotics Engineers in the next 5 years?
John Ring: An engineering student learns "how to learn" during their time in college. Technology will evolve, and tomorrow's engineers must learn at the same pace so that new technology can be applied to solve a problem.
Rickey Caldwell Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Mechanical EngineeringMerrimack College
Departmet of Mechanical Engineering
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Robotics Engineers?
Rickey Caldwell Ph.D.: In terms of job opportunities, no. It may take longer to secure that first job, and it may be an employer's job market for the next several years. This means starting salaries may not be as high as a year ago, and yearly raises may be near zero up to 3% (depending on career fields and markets). Additionally, some benefits, such as tuition reimbursement, may not be available at some companies.
However, I strongly suspect that things will get better (as a wild guess) in 3 - 5 years as the economy rebounds. For the immediate future, the full economic effects of the pandemic have not been fully realized. As companies restructure to deal with their impact on their bottom lines and workers are laid-off, more experienced employees are entering the job marking and seeking jobs. This is very similar to the financial system crash around 2008, so that could be referenced for a similar environment, especially its effect on the Midwest. Job seekers must be persistent.
For enduring changes, the pandemic has presented a great opportunity to change the nature of where we do work. This experiment has been tried before at places like Yahoo, for example. Pre-pandemic, some companies allowed workers to work from home several times per month under flexible scheduling. I believe the coronavirus pandemic will make these types of work options a larger part of the business workplace culture. Additionally, many companies are actively working to enhance their diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. With this renewed attention, there may be more opportunities for workers that are women, BIPOC, LBGQT+, and others to rewrite and form new workplace norms to have new working environments. I strongly encourage people to take their seats at this table and create the world you wish to work in.
How do you envision technology impacting Robotics Engineers in the next 5 years?
Rickey Caldwell Ph.D.: Technology is always evolving. Machine learning, IOT, and cyber-physical systems are having and will continue to have an impact on areas such as nondestructive evaluation. As 5G comes online, these technologies will be more ubiquitous and impactful. Imagine an accelerometer on your refrigerator, sending you a text message that the compressor has an 80% chance of failing in the next 30 days. Or flying robots using optical measurement techniques, Bayesian statistics, and modal analysis to inspect bridges and then reporting their findings to local newspapers and government agencies. Or meta-materials created human-made materials with designer properties. Or energy harvesting to enhance battery charging technology. Much research and development is occurring in this and other needs and uses areas of engineering physics.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Robotics Engineers to find work opportunities?
Rickey Caldwell Ph.D.: The engineering centers of the US seem to have strong job markets. Boston, West Coast, Silicon Prairie, DC area are just a few. There are employment opportunities in every industry and every state. It just may take 6 - 18 months to land that first job. Students may have to cast a bigger and wider search net. For example, if you only want to work in city A, it may take longer to find a job. A better strategy is to search regionally. For example, New England, Mid Atlantic, or the Southwest. Additionally, there are sectors that are always looking for new talent, such as energy production, food companies such as Unilever, and the civilian government work at federally funded research and development laboratories (FFRDC) and University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC) such as The MITRE Corporation and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab.