AITakeover Tracker
33%medium risk

Mechanical Engineering Technologists

Assist mechanical engineers in such activities as generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy. Prepare layouts of machinery or equipment or plan the flow of work. May conduct statistical studies or analyze production costs.

Green New & EmergingHigher risk than 53% of occupations

AI Impact Summary

Mechanical Engineering Technologists faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 33/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 53% of all analyzed occupations. Of 21 analyzed tasks, 4 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.

Skill Impact Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Information Ordering5%

High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Reading Comprehension10%

High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

AI-Resistant Skills (11)

Adaptability/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Equipment Maintenance78%

Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Persuasion80%

Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

AI-Augmented Skills (7)

Critical ThinkingWritingJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringActive LearningSystems AnalysisTechnology Design

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Mechanical Engineering Technologists skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.

Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.

Upskill to Reduce Risk

Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills

DataCampbeginner

SQL Fundamentals Skill Track

by DataCamp

21 hours$25/mo4.7Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Information Ordering

Estimated Impact

-7.3pt risk+$4K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Coursera

Creative Writing Specialization

by Wesleyan University

~8 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Writing

Estimated Impact

-5.2pt risk+$4K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Courseraintermediate

Leading People and Teams Specialization

by University of Michigan

~6 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Leadership

Estimated Impact

-3.8pt risk+$5K/yr salary

We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.

Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.

Education & Training

Percentage of workers at each education and training level

Education Level

Some College15%
Associate's Degree37%
Bachelor's Degree46%
Master's Degree2%
Doctoral/Professional Degree1%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

6 months - 1 year4%
1-2 years8%
2-4 years32%
4-6 years42%
6-8 years3%
8-10 years1%
Over 10 years11%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

Up to 1 month28%
1-3 months2%
3-6 months26%
6 months - 1 year22%
1-2 years11%
2-4 years3%
4-6 years9%

How AI Impacts Each Task

21 tasks analyzed

Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings.

Risk: 67.0%AI: 44.45ObservedTime: 8%

Assist engineers to design, develop, test, or manufacture industrial machinery, consumer products, or other equipment.

Risk: 43.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 8%

Prepare specifications, designs, or sketches for machines, components, or systems related to the generation, transmission, or use of mechanical or fluid energy.

Risk: 51.2%AI: 60.5ObservedTime: 8%

Design specialized or customized equipment, machines, or structures.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 7%

Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation.

Risk: 33.0%AI: 45EstimatedTime: 6%

Inspect and test mechanical equipment.

Risk: 17.0%AI: 20EstimatedTime: 6%

Conduct failure analyses, document results, and recommend corrective actions.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 55EstimatedTime: 5%

Assemble or disassemble complex mechanical systems.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 5%

Assist mechanical engineers in product testing through activities such as setting up instrumentation for automobile crash tests.

Risk: 13.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 5%

Prepare cost and materials estimates or project schedules.

Risk: 72.8%AI: 58.93ObservedTime: 4%

Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress.

Risk: 48.0%AI: 52.55ObservedTime: 5%

Oversee, monitor, or inspect mechanical installations or construction projects.

Risk: 43.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 4%

Design molds, tools, dies, jigs, or fixtures for use in manufacturing processes.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 4%

Apply testing or monitoring apparatus to operating equipment.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 35EstimatedTime: 3%

Prepare layouts of machinery, tools, plants, or equipment.

Risk: 84.0%AI: 87EstimatedTime: 3%

Analyze or estimate production costs, such as labor, equipment, or plant space.

Risk: 85.2%AI: 90EstimatedTime: 3%

Prepare equipment inspection schedules, reliability schedules, work plans, or other records.

Risk: 86.0%AI: 92EstimatedTime: 3%

Perform routine maintenance on equipment, such as leak detectors, glove boxes, or mechanical pumps.

Risk: 45.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 3%

Conduct statistical studies to analyze or compare production costs for sustainable and nonsustainable designs.

Risk: 55.0%AI: 70EstimatedTime: 3%

Assist engineers to design or develop electrochemical devices, such as solid oxide membranes or other products for sustainable applications.

Risk: 50.8%AI: 59.52ObservedTime: 3%

Analyze energy requirements and distribution systems to maximize the use of intermittent or inflexible renewable energy sources, such as wind or nuclear.

Risk: 53.0%AI: 65EstimatedTime: 4%

Protective Factors

Total protective discount: 31.1%

Essential Soft Skills

Traits that are hard for AI to replicate

Attention to DetailIntegrityDependabilityIndependenceAnalytical ThinkingInitiativeAdaptability/FlexibilityCooperationStress TolerancePersistenceInnovationAchievement/Effort

Wage & Employment (2024)

Median Wage

$77,390

per year

Mean Wage

$79,740

per year

Employment

64K

workers

Wage Range

$47,010 - $114,630

10th - 90th pct

Wage Distribution

$47,010Median: $77,390$114,630
Career Planning

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Recommendations

Skills to Develop

These skills are at risk from AI automation. Mechanical Engineering Technologists professionals should diversify beyond them.

  • Mathematics

    High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

  • Information Ordering

    High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

  • Reading Comprehension

    High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

  • Mathematics

    High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

  • Memorization

    Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Skills to Leverage

These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.

  • Adaptability/Flexibility

    Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Leadership

    Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Complex Problem Solving

    Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Equipment Maintenance

    Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

  • Manual Dexterity

    Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Tools to Adopt

AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.

  • Critical Thinking

    Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Writing

    Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Judgment and Decision Making

    Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Monitoring

    Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

  • Active Learning

    Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

Score History

Risk score over 2 scoring runs

+2.0

overall change

Checking for existing plan...