Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Machines can already do 35% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 66%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 35% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 7% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2031, and 66% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 36,190 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $74,510 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 76% for contact with people.
- Also called: Engineering Laboratory Technician (Engineering Lab Technician), Engineering Technical Analyst, Engineering Technician (Engineering Tech), Engineering Technologist.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Assemble or disassemble complex mechanical systems | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings | 7% | 40% to 68% | |
| Record test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods | 7% | 85% to 97% | |
| Analyze test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modify or adjust equipment to meet specifications | 5% | 3% to 30% | |
| Assist engineers to design, develop, test, or manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, or other equipment | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign | 4% | 55% to 85% | |
| Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation | 4% | 35% to 58% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills mechanical engineering technologists and technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Robotics Technicians47% of tasks by 2035 · US median $73,900
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians59% of tasks by 2035 · US median $78,190
- Commercial and Industrial Designers65% of tasks by 2035 · US median $83,910
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $82,890
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2031. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians?
Machines can do 35% of the tasks of mechanical engineering technologists and technicians today and 66% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 17-3027.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/mechanical-engineering-technologists-and-technicians/