Best institutions to study Automation Engineer Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing, installing, calibrating, modifying and maintaining automated systems.
101 U.S. institutions graduated 1,785 Automation Engineer Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.0406, a specialization of Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.04), and leads most directly to the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 17-3023).
About Automation Engineer Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing, installing, calibrating, modifying and maintaining automated systems. Includes instruction in computer systems; electronics and instrumentation; programmable logic controllers (PLCs); electric, hydraulic and pneumatic control systems; actuator and sensor systems; process control; robotics; applications to specific industrial tasks; and report preparation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Automation Engineer Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to support engineers in the development, installation, calibration, modification, and maintenance of automated systems. This program is ideal for those interested in applying engineering principles and technical skills in various industrial settings, focusing on automation technologies. Students will gain hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge essential for a career in this growing field.
Core coursework includes instruction in computer systems, electronics, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and control systems. Students will develop skills in reading blueprints, troubleshooting equipment, and using specialized test equipment, ensuring they are well-equipped for technical challenges in automation.
Credentials awarded
What Automation Engineer Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree615 graduates / yr · 60 institutions35%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year505 graduates / yr · 36 institutions28%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years376 graduates / yr · 32 institutions21%
- Bachelor's degree226 graduates / yr · 10 institutions13%
- Award of less than 12 weeks51 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.9%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.3%
- Master's degree4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Automation Engineer Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 202 |
| 2013 | 247 |
| 2014 | 312 |
| 2015 | 446 |
| 2016 | 625 |
| 2017 | 668 |
| 2018 | 800 |
| 2019 | 956 |
| 2020 | 931 |
| 2021 | 1,078 |
| 2022 | 1,073 |
| 2023 | 1,227 |
| 2024 | 1,357 |
| 2025 | 1,785 |
Top 50 institutions for Automation Engineer Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 154 | 42% | — | $71,199 |
| 2 | ECPI University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 151 | 42% | $21,909 | $64,359 |
| 3 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 100 | 45% | — | $77,137 |
| 4 | Vincennes University Vincennes, INPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 96 | 39% | — | $82,305 |
| 5 | Cleveland Community College Shelby, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 79 | 32% | — | — |
| 6 | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 56 | 33% | — | $53,518 |
| 7 | Southern California Institute of Technology Anaheim, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 53 | 74% | $29,667 | $50,793 |
| 8 | Lorain County Community College Elyria, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate'sBachelor's | 46 | 31% | — | — |
| 9 | College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NVPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 44 | 19% | — | — |
| 10 | Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 41 | 21% | — | — |
| 11 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 36 | 48% | — | — |
| 12 | Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology Okmulgee, OKPublicAssociate's | 34 | 42% | — | — |
| 13 | Collin County Community College District McKinney, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 32 | 20% | — | — |
| 14 | Randolph Community College Asheboro, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 31 | 58% | — | — |
| 15 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 30 | 41% | — | — |
| 16 | Manatee Technical College Bradenton, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 64% | — | — |
| 17 | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 27 | 43% | — | — |
| 18 | South Central College North Mankato, MNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 39% | — | $56,246 |
| 19 | Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 27 | 24% | — | — |
| 20 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 26 | 41% | — | — |
| 21 | Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LAPublicBachelor's | 26 | 64% | — | — |
| 22 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 25 | 61% | $35,483 | — |
| 23 | Alexandria Technical & Community College Alexandria, MNPublicAssociate's | 22 | 60% | — | $55,372 |
| 24 | Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 41% | — | — |
| 25 | Front Range Community College Westminster, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 19 | 35% | — | — |
| 26 | Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 33% | — | — |
| 27 | Chattanooga State Community College Chattanooga, TNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 26% | — | — |
| 28 | Midland College Midland, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 18 | 23% | — | — |
| 29 | Leeward Community College Pearl City, HIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 17 | 35% | — | — |
| 30 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAssociate's | 17 | 65% | — | $58,623 |
| 31 | College of Lake County Grayslake, ILPublicAssociate's | 16 | 37% | — | — |
| 32 | Withlacoochee Technical College Inverness, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 15 | 61% | — | — |
| 33 | Central Lakes College - Brainerd Brainerd, MNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 15 | 53% | — | $60,937 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PAPublicBachelor's | 15 | 53% | — | $63,124 |
| 35 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TXPublicAssociate's | 15 | 46% | — | $59,719 |
| 36 | Pima Community College Tucson, AZPublicAssociate's | 14 | 28% | — | — |
| 37 | Lake Technical College Eustis, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 47% | — | — |
| 38 | College of Southern Idaho Twin Falls, IDPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 33% | — | — |
| 39 | Bismarck State College Bismarck, NDPublicAssociate's | 14 | 47% | — | $77,701 |
| 40 | Pine Technical & Community College Pine City, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 13 | 36% | — | — |
| 41 | College of Central Florida Ocala, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 44% | — | — |
| 42 | Johnson County Community College Overland Park, KSPublicAssociate's | 12 | 31% | — | — |
| 43 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls, MNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 12 | 52% | — | — |
| 44 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 40% | — | — |
| 45 | Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WIPublicAssociate's | 11 | 45% | — | $47,684 |
| 46 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZPublicAssociate's | 10 | 16% | — | — |
| 47 | Mitchell Technical College Mitchell, SDPublicAssociate's | 10 | 76% | — | $72,319 |
| 48 | Canadian Valley Technology Center El Reno, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 71% | — | — |
| 49 | Institute of Technology Clovis, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 73% | $24,518 | $39,546 |
| 50 | Daytona State College Daytona Beach, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 43% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 15.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 36 states
Where Automation Engineer Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3023, Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Automation Engineer Technology/Technician program typically pursue careers as Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians. With an expected annual opening of 8,400 positions and a median wage of $77,180, the job outlook shows little or no change, making it a stable career choice for those with an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.0406
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Techniciansprimary SOC 17-3023 | $78,190 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~8,400 | Associate's degree |
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians SOC 17-3024 | $73,900 | +1.1% Little or no change | ~1,300 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Automation Engineer Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Modify, maintain, or repair electronics equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
- Replace defective components or parts, using hand tools and precision instruments.
- Set up and operate specialized or standard test equipment to diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electronic components, assemblies, or systems.
- Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, or engineering instructions for assembling electronics units, applying knowledge of electronic theory and components.
- Identify and resolve equipment malfunctions, working with manufacturers or field representatives as necessary to procure replacement parts.
- Assemble electrical systems or prototypes, using hand tools or measuring instruments.
Tools and technology used
Other Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.04).
- Electromechanical/CIP 15.0403
Electromechanical Engineering Technology/ Technician 3,069 graduates / yr130 institutions - Instrumentation Technology/CIP 15.0404
Technician 3,068 graduates / yr78 institutions - Electromechanical Technologies/CIP 15.0499
Technicians 2,145 graduates / yr75 institutions - Biomedical Technology/CIP 15.0401
Technician 1,319 graduates / yr76 institutions - Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0407
Technician 997 graduates / yr56 institutions - Robotics Technology/CIP 15.0405
Technician 829 graduates / yr52 institutions
See all Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, or an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics, among others.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist or Technician, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 8,400 annual openings and a median wage of $77,180.
What is the CIP code for Automation Engineer Technology/Technician?+
Automation Engineer Technology/Technician is CIP 15.0406 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.04). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing, installing, calibrating, modifying and maintaining automated systems. Includes instruction in computer systems; electronics and instrumentation; programmable logic controllers (PLCs); electric, hydraulic and pneumatic control systems; actuator and sensor systems; process control; robotics; applications to specific industrial tasks; and report preparation.
How many institutions offer Automation Engineer Technology/Technician programs?+
101 U.S. institutions reported Automation Engineer Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 36 states, awarding 1,785 credentials in the year. That is 13.5% of all Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Automation Engineer Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation, which Automation Engineer Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,190 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $60,937 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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