by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Automation Engineer Technology covers Automation Engineer Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers And Other Professionals Engaged In Developing, Installing, Calibrating, Modifying And Maintaining Automated Systems. Includes Instruction In Computer Systems; Electronics And Instrumentation; Programmable Logic Controllers (Plcs); Electric, Hydraulic And Pneumatic Control Systems; Actuator And Sensor Systems; Process Control; Robotics; Applications To Specific Industrial Tasks; And Report Preparation. Continue reading for the essential details every automation engineer technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering automation engineer technology programs.
In the U.S., automation engineer technology is a widely-pursued major, with 1,364 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Automation Engineer Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 90 schools to determine the best overall colleges for automation engineer technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of automation engineer technology programs later in this article.
Studies in Automation Engineer Technology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations automation engineer technology graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a automation engineer technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a automation engineer technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several automation engineer technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 319 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 499 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 208 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 308 |
People currently working in careers related to automation engineer technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 31.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 30.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 11.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 9.8% |
| Some college courses | 6.6% |
| Master’s degree | 5.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.4% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in automation engineer technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying automation engineer technology prepares you for numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to automation engineer technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to automation engineer technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | 376,668 | -2.8% |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 150,615 | 0.3% |
| Robotics Technicians | 45,207 | 12.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of automation engineer technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,527 |
| 4 years | $62,211 |
| 5 years | $69,356 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for automation engineer technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers automation engineer technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $134,632 |
| Robotics Technicians | $131,252 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,455 |
With 90 different automation engineer technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased automation engineer technology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in automation engineer technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
