Best institutions to study Hydraulics and Fluid Power 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 and using fluid power and transportation systems.
5 U.S. institutions graduated 127 Hydraulics and Fluid Power Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.1103, a specialization of Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.11), and leads most directly to the Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 17-3027).
About Hydraulics and Fluid Power 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 and using fluid power and transportation systems. Includes instruction in fluid mechanics and hydraulics principles, fluid power systems, pipeline and pumping systems, design and operational testing, inspection and maintenance procedures, related instrumentation, and report preparation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Hydraulics and Fluid Power Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to support engineers and professionals in developing and utilizing fluid power and transportation systems. This program is ideal for those interested in applying engineering principles and technical skills to real-world applications in the field of hydraulics and fluid mechanics.
Students in this program gain knowledge in fluid mechanics, hydraulic principles, and fluid power systems. Coursework includes design and operational testing, inspection and maintenance procedures, and the use of related instrumentation.
Credentials awarded
What Hydraulics and Fluid Power Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years58 graduates / yr · 2 institutions46%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year51 graduates / yr · 3 institutions40%
- Associate's degree17 graduates / yr · 2 institutions13%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.8%
Graduates over time
Hydraulics and Fluid Power Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 182 |
| 2013 | 123 |
| 2014 | 155 |
| 2015 | 136 |
| 2016 | 141 |
| 2017 | 87 |
| 2018 | 86 |
| 2019 | 63 |
| 2020 | 48 |
| 2021 | 106 |
| 2022 | 150 |
| 2023 | 141 |
| 2024 | 103 |
| 2025 | 127 |
Top 5 institutions for Hydraulics and Fluid Power 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 112 | 42% | — |
| 2 | Spokane Community College Spokane, WAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 33% | — |
| 3 | Clark State College Springfield, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 22% | — |
| 4 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 67% | — |
| 5 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 52% | — |
Offered in 4 states
Where Hydraulics and Fluid Power Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 2 | 113 | Hennepin Technical College112 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 10 | Spokane Community College10 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 3 | Clark State College3 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 1 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3027, Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians, with an annual opening of 3,200 positions. The median wage for these roles is $68,730, typically requiring an Associate's degree for entry-level positions. The job outlook indicates little or no change in growth.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.1103
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Techniciansprimary SOC 17-3027 | $74,510 | 0.0% Little or no change | ~3,200 | Associate's degree |
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other SOC 17-3029 | $78,350 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~5,700 | 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 Hydraulics and Fluid Power 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
- Assemble or disassemble complex mechanical systems.
- Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings.
- Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.
- Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.
- Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation.
- Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress.
Tools and technology used
Other Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.11).
Common questions
What is the duration of the program?+
The program offers awards ranging from at least 12 weeks to less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and active listening, among others.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a Mechanical Engineering Technologist or Technician, among other roles.
What is the typical salary for graduates?+
The median wage for graduates in this field is $68,730.
What is the CIP code for Hydraulics and Fluid Power Technology/Technician?+
Hydraulics and Fluid Power Technology/Technician is CIP 15.1103 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.11). 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 and using fluid power and transportation systems. Includes instruction in fluid mechanics and hydraulics principles, fluid power systems, pipeline and pumping systems, design and operational testing, inspection and maintenance procedures, related instrumentation, and report preparation.
How many institutions offer Hydraulics and Fluid Power Technology/Technician programs?+
5 U.S. institutions reported Hydraulics and Fluid Power Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 127 credentials in the year. That is 9.7% of all Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Hydraulics and Fluid Power Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation, which Hydraulics and Fluid Power Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $74,510 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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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