by our College Data Analytics TeamRobots used to be a thing of the future, but now they have been seamlessly incorporated into many parts of everyday life. From use in manufacturing to the armed forces, robots have aided humans in accomplishing a variety of tasks. If you're interested in becoming parts of this quickly developing field, consider majoring in Robotics Engineering.
As a Robotics Engineering major, you will learn how to build the robot framework, program its operating system, test the machine, and incorporate it into medical, transportation, and military fields. You will take classes in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, mathematics, operating systems, computer software, and mechanical engineering along with a variety of courses specific to the robotics field. A degree in Robotic Engineering will provide you with the skills to participate in a growing field that has an immediate impact on numerous industries.
Studying Robotics Engineering involves the study of Mechatronics, Robotics, And Automation Engineering. Read on to learn the essential details every robotics engineering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering robotics engineering programs.
Nationwide, robotics engineering draws strong interest, with 1,985 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Robotics Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 83 schools to determine the best overall colleges for robotics engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of robotics engineering programs later in this article.
Coursework for Robotics Engineering build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations robotics engineering graduates commonly enter.
Students pursuing a degree in Robotics Engineering should have a strong background in mathematics and computer science. Advanced knowledge of operating systems will allow professionals to seamlessly incorporate robotics systems into a variety of manufacturing or production locations. Students who are successful in this field also have strong critical thinking skills and creativity. This allows them to analyze a scenario and develop unique robotic systems to accomplish certain tasks.
Robotics Engineers typically work full time in offices or in research and development labs. These environments provide professionals access to the computer systems necessary to develop, test, and maintain the various types of robotic systems currently used in manufacturing, agriculture, aviation, and a variety of other industries.
Bachelor's degrees are often sufficient for entry-level jobs in robotics engineering, but students should be prepared to earn their master's or doctorate if they wish to advance in the field.
The skill set emphasized by a robotics engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a robotics engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several robotics engineering 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 | 66 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 119 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 545 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,126 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 89 |
People currently working in careers related to robotics engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 30.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 29.6% |
| Master’s degree | 11.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.1% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in robotics engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates with degrees in Robotics Engineering typically get jobs in robotics manufacturing firms. Some graduates have pursued careers where they oversee the maintenance and function of robotics systems within different fields. An advanced degree in this field also provides graduates the option to go into research and development or teach at universities.
Due to the rapid development of this field, graduates should come out of school with many career options. Those will advanced degrees and experience in the field will be more competitive in the job market.
A degree in robotics engineering can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to robotics engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to robotics engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 266,797 | 14.5% |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 227,778 | 6.7% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of robotics engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $75,263 |
| 4 years | $85,139 |
| 5 years | $97,576 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for robotics engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers robotics engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Photonics Engineers | $84,667 |
With 83 different robotics engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased robotics engineering school rankings to help you.
Those considering robotics engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering | 1,985 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 42,939 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 26,760 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,005 |
| Computer Engineering | 19,986 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 13,914 |
| Engineering, General | 13,411 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,939 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 9,596 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,533 |
| Systems Engineering | 3,956 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
