DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or calibrate machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

Occupational Employment Statistics(OES) Wage Data
Wages Updated to First Quarter, 2013

					Percentiles
Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Mean	Mean SE*	10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
Minnesota	1,710	190	$26.45/hr	$0.58/hr	$18.04/hr	$20.84/hr	$24.94/hr	$31.50/hr	$37.76/hr
U S	46,630	886	$26.23/hr	$0.16/hr	$16.26/hr	$20.10/hr	$25.33/hr	$31.59/hr	$37.36/hr
*SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate.

Other Regional Data For Mechanical Engineering Technicians Geography (click title for details) OES Projections Employment Median Wage % Change  -  EDR 11 - 7 County Twin Cities 1,070 $27.20/hr N/A EDR 10 - Southeast 180 $23.56/hr N/A EDR 1 - Northwest 150 $21.47/hr N/A EDR 8 - Southwest 80 $21.57/hr N/A EDR 9 - South Central 70 $22.83/hr N/A EDR 2 - Headwaters 20 $30.62/hr N/A EDR 3 - Arrowhead 10 $20.93/hr N/A EDR 7W- Central N/A $21.91/hr N/A

• Reviews project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, objectives, and tests nature of technical problems, such as redesign.
• Tests equipment, using test devices attached to generator, voltage regulator, or other electrical parts, such as generators or spark plugs.
• Analyzes tests results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives and modifies or adjusts equipment to meet specifications.
• Estimates cost factors, including labor and material for purchased and fabricated parts and costs for assembly, testing, and installing.
• Inspects lines and figures for clarity and returns erroneous drawings to designer for correction.
• Prepares parts sketches and writes work orders and purchase requests to be furnished by outside contractors.
• Reads dials and meters to determine amperage, voltage, electrical out and input at specific operating temperature to analyze parts performance.
• Operates drill press, grinders, engine lathe, or other machines to modify parts tested or to fabricate experimental parts for testing.
• Evaluates tool drawing designs by measuring drawing dimensions and comparing with original specifications for form and function, using engineering skills.
• Confers with technicians and submits reports of test results to engineering department and recommends design or material changes.
• Records test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test methods.
• Drafts detail drawing or sketch for drafting room completion or to request parts fabrication by machine, sheet or wood shops.
• Calculates required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submits data to engineering personnel for approval.
• Discusses changes in design, method of manufacture and assembly, and drafting techniques and procedures with staff and coordinates corrections.
• Reviews project instructions and specifications to identify, modify and plan requirements fabrication, assembly and testing.
• Sets up prototype and test apparatus and operates test controlling equipment to observe and record prototype test results.
• Sets up and conducts tests of complete units and components under operational conditions to investigate proposals for improving equipment performance.
• Devises, fabricates, and assembles new or modified mechanical components for products, such as industrial machinery or equipment, and measuring instruments.