by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Hydraulics & Fluid Power Technology covers Hydraulics And Fluid Power 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 And Using Fluid Power And Transportation Systems. Includes Instruction In Fluid Mechanics And Hydraulics Principles, Fluid Power Systems, Pipeline And Pumping Systems, Design And Operational Testing, Inspection And Maintenance Procedures, Related Instrumentation, And Report Preparation. Continue reading for the important information every hydraulics & fluid power technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering hydraulics & fluid power technology programs.
Nationwide, hydraulics & fluid power technology is a popular field of study, with 112 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Hydraulics & Fluid Power Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 6 schools to determine the best overall colleges for hydraulics & fluid power technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of hydraulics & fluid power technology programs later in this article.
Programs in Hydraulics & Fluid Power Technology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations hydraulics & fluid power technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a hydraulics & fluid power technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a hydraulics & fluid power technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several hydraulics & fluid power 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 | 45 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 26 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 41 |
People currently working in careers related to hydraulics & fluid power technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 27.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 23.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 21.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 16.5% |
| Some college courses | 6.9% |
| Master’s degree | 3.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in hydraulics & fluid power technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying hydraulics & fluid power technology opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to hydraulics & fluid power technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to hydraulics & fluid power technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 361,883 | -1.1% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Automotive Engineering Technicians | 193,201 | 0.6% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of hydraulics & fluid power technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $61,962 |
| 4 years | $60,220 |
| 5 years | $64,342 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for hydraulics & fluid power technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers hydraulics & fluid power technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $108,923 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Automotive Engineering Technicians | $89,794 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
With 6 different hydraulics & fluid power technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased hydraulics & fluid power technology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in hydraulics & fluid power technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Surveying Technology/Surveying | 1,046 |
| Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other | 79 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
