Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians operate, test and maintain electromechanical or robotic equipment. They work in factories, labs and research settings, building, calibrating and fixing machines that combine mechanics, electronics and software. AI can help with diagnostics. Hands-on testing and repair stay with the technician.
The short answer: low exposure, and automation cuts both ways. The ILO's 2025 index rates electronics engineering technicians at minimal exposure with 0.38 and mechanical engineering technicians as not exposed with 0.26, the closest groups. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,400 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed electro-mechanical technicians are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics Engineering Technicians | Minimal exposure | 0.38 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technicians | Not exposed | 0.26 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so these are the closest groups for electro-mechanical technicians, not a score for the job title itself.
The ILO index measures generative AI, not robots or automated machines.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians | Grow 3% | About 1,400 |
The BLS says an increase in autonomous systems and robotics is projected to increase demand for these workers to develop and operate equipment. It also says automated equipment, testing and design may replace some of their responsibilities.
What automation is taking on
- Running routine tests on automated test stations.
- Generating design options and wiring layouts in software.
- Flagging faults from sensor data before a human inspects the machine.
What stays with electro-mechanical technicians
- Building and setup: assembling, installing and calibrating equipment.
- Troubleshooting: finding faults across mechanical, electrical and software parts.
- Safety: working safely around moving machines and power.
- Checking AI help: generated diagnostics and specs can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
More robots and autonomous systems mean more equipment to install and keep running, even as some testing and design work is automated. Technicians who can work with programmable controllers and robot software are better placed. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace industrial machinery mechanics?, will AI replace semiconductor technicians? and will AI replace engineers?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for electro mechanical technicians at $73,900 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: associate's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace electro-mechanical technicians?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 3 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,400 openings a year.
How exposed are electro-mechanical technicians to AI?
The ILO rates electronics engineering technicians at minimal exposure (0.38) and mechanical engineering technicians as not exposed (0.26), the closest groups.
Does automation help or hurt this job?
Both, says the BLS: more robotics raises demand, while automated testing and design may replace some tasks.
What is mechatronics?
Work that combines mechanical, electrical and software systems, such as robots and automated equipment.