Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other (SOC 17-3029) earn a median $78,350 a year ($37.67 an hour) in the United States, with 59,930 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Maine.
What engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other do
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other, is the residual category for technical support workers in engineering whose work is not covered by the more specific technician classifications, such as aerospace, civil, electrical and electronics, electro-mechanical, environmental, industrial, mechanical, or calibration technicians. People in this group work under the direction of engineers or scientists, helping to design, build, test, and operate products, equipment, and processes. O*NET titles associated with the group include agricultural engineering technician and air tester, which show how varied the specialties are. The category excludes drafters, who have their own classifications. Because it is a catch-all, the tasks, the education involved, and the pay depend on the specialty and employer, and the data used here do not give a single set of tasks or a single education level for the group. The role differs from engineers, who carry out the design and analysis. Titles such as biomedical engineering aide and air analyst, also listed for the group, point to the same breadth.
Also called: Agricultural Engineering Technician, Air Analyst, Air Tester, Agricultural Engineering Technicians, Agricultural Engineering Technologist.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $22.61 | $29.03 | $37.67 | $47.75 | $56.89 | $38.93 | 59,930 |
| Annual | $47,030 | $60,390 | $78,350 | $99,310 | $118,330 | $80,960 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Maine | Hourly | $32.59 | $44.28 | $51.47 | $57.90 | $62.73 | $49.97 | 810 | 1.27 | 3.29 |
| Annual | $67,790 | $92,100 | $107,060 | $120,430 | $130,480 | $103,930 | ||||
| New Mexico | Hourly | $31.33 | $47.36 | $48.92 | $57.38 | $59.26 | $48.91 | 1,390 | 1.59 | 4.13 |
| Annual | $65,170 | $98,520 | $101,750 | $119,350 | $123,260 | $101,730 | ||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $28.30 | $37.39 | $48.06 | $59.07 | $65.29 | $47.82 | 2,630 | 0.95 | 2.47 |
| Annual | $58,860 | $77,770 | $99,970 | $122,870 | $135,800 | $99,460 | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $29.06 | $37.98 | $47.94 | $55.87 | $62.25 | $46.71 | 2,310 | 0.65 | 1.69 |
| Annual | $60,450 | $79,000 | $99,720 | $116,210 | $129,480 | $97,160 | ||||
| Virginia | Hourly | $30.77 | $38.28 | $47.31 | $53.33 | $63.37 | $47.00 | 3,720 | 0.91 | 2.35 |
| Annual | $64,000 | $79,620 | $98,410 | $110,930 | $131,810 | $97,760 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $25.03 | $30.41 | $38.69 | $50.29 | $61.96 | $41.86 | 7,330 | 0.40 | 1.04 |
| Annual | $52,060 | $63,250 | $80,480 | $104,600 | $128,880 | $87,070 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $18.61 | $25.06 | $35.51 | $47.25 | $54.35 | $36.11 | 7,110 | 0.51 | 1.31 |
| Annual | $38,720 | $52,120 | $73,860 | $98,280 | $113,050 | $75,100 | ||||
| Virginia | Hourly | $30.77 | $38.28 | $47.31 | $53.33 | $63.37 | $47.00 | 3,720 | 0.91 | 2.35 |
| Annual | $64,000 | $79,620 | $98,410 | $110,930 | $131,810 | $97,760 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $22.57 | $26.24 | $33.89 | $42.90 | $51.41 | $35.42 | 2,820 | 0.28 | 0.74 |
| Annual | $46,950 | $54,580 | $70,500 | $89,230 | $106,930 | $73,680 | ||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $28.30 | $37.39 | $48.06 | $59.07 | $65.29 | $47.82 | 2,630 | 0.95 | 2.47 |
| Annual | $58,860 | $77,770 | $99,970 | $122,870 | $135,800 | $99,460 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Portland-South Portland, ME | Hourly | $39.78 | $45.62 | $52.33 | $57.90 | $62.73 | $51.24 | 750 | 2.60 | 6.74 |
| Annual | $82,750 | $94,890 | $108,850 | $120,430 | $130,480 | $106,570 | ||||
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | Hourly | $41.53 | $46.61 | $51.93 | $59.06 | $62.25 | $52.26 | 1,160 | 12.36 | 32.05 |
| Annual | $86,380 | $96,950 | $108,010 | $122,840 | $129,480 | $108,690 | ||||
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | Hourly | $27.48 | $38.87 | $51.51 | $60.12 | $66.46 | $49.23 | 930 | 0.68 | 1.77 |
| Annual | $57,160 | $80,840 | $107,140 | $125,050 | $138,240 | $102,400 | ||||
| Lexington Park, MD | Hourly | $36.20 | $42.02 | $50.75 | $60.12 | $63.76 | $51.17 | 450 | 6.41 | 16.63 |
| Annual | $75,290 | $87,400 | $105,560 | $125,050 | $132,620 | $106,430 | ||||
| Anchorage, AK | Hourly | $23.66 | $32.90 | $49.57 | $56.08 | $62.63 | $46.87 | 160 | 0.93 | 2.41 |
| Annual | $49,220 | $68,430 | $103,110 | $116,640 | $130,270 | $97,490 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $18.43 | $25.21 | $36.60 | $49.13 | $54.93 | $37.11 | 2,860 | 0.87 | 2.26 |
| Annual | $38,330 | $52,430 | $76,120 | $102,190 | $114,250 | $77,190 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $23.42 | $28.31 | $33.60 | $41.44 | $49.59 | $35.64 | 1,770 | 0.28 | 0.73 |
| Annual | $48,710 | $58,880 | $69,890 | $86,190 | $103,150 | $74,140 | ||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $21.11 | $33.61 | $47.86 | $59.89 | $67.63 | $47.19 | 1,660 | 0.53 | 1.37 |
| Annual | $43,910 | $69,910 | $99,540 | $124,570 | $140,670 | $98,140 | ||||
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | Hourly | $25.18 | $31.75 | $44.46 | $55.16 | $63.27 | $44.56 | 1,450 | 0.94 | 2.45 |
| Annual | $52,380 | $66,040 | $92,480 | $114,730 | $131,600 | $92,690 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $20.63 | $25.90 | $34.58 | $45.01 | $56.31 | $36.10 | 1,290 | 0.32 | 0.83 |
| Annual | $42,920 | $53,880 | $71,930 | $93,620 | $117,120 | $75,090 | ||||
Top industries employing engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) employ 26.6% of engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other nationally (15,920 jobs) at a median $100,090 a year ($48.12 an hour), followed by Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (14.3%) and Scientific Research and Development Services (6.2%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999100 | 15,920 | 26.6% | $100,090 | $48.12 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services NAICS 541300 | 8,580 | 14.3% | $64,180 | $30.85 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services NAICS 541700 | 3,740 | 6.2% | $82,550 | $39.69 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing NAICS 336400 | 2,870 | 4.8% | $72,330 | $34.77 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing NAICS 334500 | 2,010 | 3.4% | $65,400 | $31.44 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (59,930). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $61,950 for engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other in May 2021 and $78,350 in May 2025, with employment of 73,600 and 59,930.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $61,950 | $29.78 | 73,600 |
| May 2022 | $65,520 | $31.50 | 70,250 |
| May 2023 | $73,500 | $35.34 | 66,200 |
| May 2024 | $77,390 | $37.21 | 64,410 |
| May 2025 | $78,350 | $37.67 | 59,930 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
50 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine profile | $51.47 | $107,060 | $67,790 | $130,480 | 810 | 1.27 | 3.29 |
| 2 | New Mexico profile | $48.92 | $101,750 | $65,170 | $123,260 | 1,390 | 1.59 | 4.13 |
| 3 | Maryland profile | $48.06 | $99,970 | $58,860 | $135,800 | 2,630 | 0.95 | 2.47 |
| 4 | Washington profile | $47.94 | $99,720 | $60,450 | $129,480 | 2,310 | 0.65 | 1.69 |
| 5 | Virginia profile | $47.31 | $98,410 | $64,000 | $131,810 | 3,720 | 0.91 | 2.35 |
| 6 | Rhode Island profile | $45.46 | $94,570 | $65,470 | $130,480 | 380 | 0.75 | 1.96 |
| 7 | Nevada profile | $45.03 | $93,670 | $66,440 | $134,000 | 590 | 0.38 | 0.98 |
| 8 | Hawaii profile | $43.29 | $90,040 | $45,200 | $120,270 | 410 | 0.65 | 1.68 |
| 9 | Alaska profile | $43.18 | $89,810 | $48,290 | $126,880 | 380 | 1.18 | 3.07 |
| 10 | Indiana profile | $42.73 | $88,880 | $65,330 | $124,730 | 480 | 0.15 | 0.39 |
| 11 | New Jersey profile | $42.04 | $87,450 | $46,590 | $136,090 | 880 | 0.20 | 0.53 |
| 12 | Oklahoma profile | $39.10 | $81,330 | $49,860 | $108,390 | 870 | 0.51 | 1.33 |
| 13 | West Virginia profile | $39.10 | $81,330 | $47,090 | $98,610 | 450 | 0.64 | 1.66 |
| 14 | Minnesota profile | $39.08 | $81,290 | $54,340 | $100,490 | 670 | 0.23 | 0.59 |
| 15 | North Dakota profile | $38.94 | $80,990 | $51,830 | $109,010 | 100 | 0.24 | 0.62 |
| 16 | South Carolina profile | $38.72 | $80,540 | $49,050 | $103,760 | 620 | 0.27 | 0.70 |
| 17 | California profile | $38.69 | $80,480 | $52,060 | $128,880 | 7,330 | 0.40 | 1.04 |
| 18 | Illinois profile | $38.37 | $79,800 | $57,160 | $101,920 | 940 | 0.16 | 0.40 |
| 19 | Wyoming profile | $38.19 | $79,440 | $50,710 | $106,330 | 130 | 0.48 | 1.25 |
| 20 | Utah profile | $38.16 | $79,370 | $54,240 | $106,330 | 920 | 0.53 | 1.38 |
| 21 | Mississippi profile | $38.15 | $79,350 | $51,520 | $108,490 | 350 | 0.30 | 0.77 |
| 22 | Ohio profile | $37.30 | $77,590 | $48,610 | $104,870 | 1,340 | 0.24 | 0.62 |
| 23 | Oregon profile | $37.00 | $76,960 | $46,890 | $102,900 | 1,010 | 0.51 | 1.33 |
| 24 | New Hampshire profile | $36.89 | $76,720 | $53,160 | $99,750 | 340 | 0.50 | 1.30 |
| 25 | Colorado profile | $36.59 | $76,110 | $50,530 | $107,280 | 1,260 | 0.44 | 1.14 |
| 26 | Delaware profile | $36.43 | $75,780 | $48,160 | $87,650 | ** | ** | ** |
| 27 | Wisconsin profile | $36.03 | $74,940 | $47,460 | $104,750 | 480 | 0.16 | 0.43 |
| 28 | Connecticut profile | $36.00 | $74,870 | $59,020 | $108,060 | 1,300 | 0.77 | 1.99 |
| 29 | Alabama profile | $35.89 | $74,650 | $43,710 | $119,970 | 690 | 0.33 | 0.85 |
| 30 | Michigan profile | $35.56 | $73,960 | $45,390 | $107,520 | 1,130 | 0.26 | 0.67 |
| 31 | Texas profile | $35.51 | $73,860 | $38,720 | $113,050 | 7,110 | 0.51 | 1.31 |
| 32 | Missouri profile | $34.77 | $72,320 | $48,630 | $106,540 | 590 | 0.20 | 0.52 |
| 33 | North Carolina profile | $34.65 | $72,070 | $47,970 | $98,900 | 1,530 | 0.31 | 0.80 |
| 34 | Florida profile | $33.89 | $70,500 | $46,950 | $106,930 | 2,820 | 0.28 | 0.74 |
| 35 | Pennsylvania profile | $33.14 | $68,930 | $40,630 | $107,410 | 1,610 | 0.27 | 0.69 |
| 36 | Georgia profile | $32.87 | $68,370 | $44,190 | $102,400 | 1,890 | 0.39 | 1.00 |
| 37 | Arkansas profile | $32.72 | $68,060 | $41,720 | $91,170 | 230 | 0.18 | 0.45 |
| 38 | Massachusetts profile | $32.43 | $67,450 | $47,280 | $96,930 | 990 | 0.27 | 0.71 |
| 39 | Nebraska profile | $32.31 | $67,200 | $46,900 | $97,070 | 260 | 0.25 | 0.66 |
| 40 | Idaho profile | $31.63 | $65,790 | $47,420 | $86,260 | 260 | 0.30 | 0.78 |
| 41 | Montana profile | $31.60 | $65,730 | $44,890 | $91,170 | 210 | 0.41 | 1.05 |
| 42 | Kentucky profile | $31.57 | $65,660 | $35,940 | $92,770 | 380 | 0.19 | 0.49 |
| 43 | New York profile | $31.50 | $65,530 | $50,080 | $97,470 | 2,000 | 0.21 | 0.54 |
| 44 | Iowa profile | $30.35 | $63,120 | $42,460 | $89,620 | 380 | 0.24 | 0.63 |
| 45 | Kansas profile | $29.67 | $61,710 | $50,720 | $85,240 | 920 | 0.64 | 1.67 |
| 46 | Arizona profile | $28.64 | $59,580 | $44,640 | $96,100 | 990 | 0.30 | 0.79 |
| 47 | Louisiana profile | $28.35 | $58,960 | $38,160 | $103,810 | 2,110 | 1.09 | 2.83 |
| 48 | Tennessee profile | $28.22 | $58,700 | $42,320 | $102,810 | 990 | 0.30 | 0.78 |
| 49 | Vermont profile | $25.37 | $52,770 | $51,350 | $82,110 | 130 | 0.44 | 1.14 |
| – | District of Columbia profile | * | * | * | * | 470 | 0.67 | 1.73 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (17-3020), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Architecture and Engineering Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 17-3029 Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other.
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 17-3029, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 17-3029.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.