by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you enjoy building things and solving problems? Ever wonder how things work? The many objects we take for granted every day are a direct result of the work of many dedicating Engineering Technicians working to assist Engineers by testing materials, drafting reports and creating plans. Engineering Technology focuses on the technical aspects of engineering. A curiosity for the way things operate is what inspires engineering technology. Collecting data and conducting experiments, building and designing new ideas for products are all things that a student in engineering technology would learn.
Course load for this field includes automated manufacturing technology, computers for engineering technology, construction methodology and procedures, and technical drawing. This major can be completed as an Associates or Bachelors.
Studying General Engineering Technology involves the study of Engineering Technologies/technicians, General. Continue reading for the essential details every general engineering technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general engineering technology programs.
In the U.S., general engineering technology is a widely-pursued major, with 3,883 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 206 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general engineering technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general engineering technology programs later in this article.
Studies in General Engineering Technology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general engineering technology graduates commonly enter.
An absorbing interest in the way things work is crucial for success, as well as creativity and a hands-on approach to learning. Knowledge of mathematics and science are essential for this major. Heavily focused on these two foundations, an individual with a love for analyzing and problem solving could be very successful in this field.
Although not required, you can prepare for the major by taking classes in high school on electronics, physics, computer science, and calculus; this allows you to get a taste of what engineering technology encompasses.
The skill set built by a general engineering technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a general engineering technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general engineering 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 | 194 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,256 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,337 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,076 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
People currently working in careers related to general engineering technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 26.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 20.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 19.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.9% |
| Some college courses | 11.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.7% |
| Master’s degree | 3.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.6% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general engineering technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in Engineering Technology provides students with a broad set of skills. Entering the workforce, students will be prepared to assist engineers to develop and manufacture new products and services. Engineer technicians will draw up drafts for projects; conduct lab experiments and solve complex problems and make new discoveries.
Studying general engineering technology can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general engineering technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general engineering technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | 376,668 | -2.8% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 266,539 | 2.0% |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 261,905 | 11.0% |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | 214,833 | 10.6% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 150,615 | 0.3% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of general engineering technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $60,327 |
| 4 years | $67,578 |
| 5 years | $74,923 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general engineering technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general engineering technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $134,632 |
| Robotics Technicians | $131,252 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $88,689 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,216 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $77,835 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,455 |
With 206 different general engineering technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general engineering technology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in general engineering technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians | 3,770 |
| Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 113 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
