Automation Engineer Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for professionals pursuing careers at the intersection of engineering and industrial technology, this program equips learners with the foundational knowledge and hands-on expertise needed to support the design, deployment, and upkeep of automated manufacturing and control systems. Graduates emerge ready to contribute effectively within high-precision industrial environments, ensuring operational efficiency, system reliability, and seamless integration of advanced automation technologies.
- Computer Systems Integration: Explore how digital platforms and software architectures enable real-time data exchange and system coordination within automated environments.
- Electronics and Instrumentation: Develop a deep understanding of electronic components, signal conditioning, and measurement devices critical for accurate system monitoring and feedback.
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs): Master the configuration, programming, and troubleshooting of PLCs used to automate industrial processes and machinery.
- Electric, Hydraulic, and Pneumatic Control Systems: Study the principles and applications of fluid power and electrical systems that drive and regulate industrial automation components.
- Actuator and Sensor Systems: Learn how input and output devices detect environmental changes and execute mechanical responses in automated workflows.
- Process Control Fundamentals: Gain insight into feedback loops, control algorithms, and system stability to maintain consistent performance across production cycles.
- Industrial Robotics: Examine robotic arm operation, path programming, safety protocols, and integration within automated assembly and material handling systems.
- Application-Specific Automation: Apply core concepts to real-world scenarios in sectors such as automotive manufacturing, packaging, food processing, and energy production.
- Technical Documentation and Reporting: Cultivate the ability to produce clear, accurate reports and schematics essential for maintenance, audits, and system handovers.
Automation Engineer Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Automation Engineer Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Automation Engineer Technology degrees, including Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians and Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 107,390 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians 17-3023 | $77,180 | $48,250 - $111,790 | 92,710 | $37.11 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians 17-3024 | $70,760 | $47,770 - $109,580 | 14,680 | $34.02 |
Automation Engineer Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $51,280 in Indiana to $102,500 in District of Columbia—a 100% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Washington, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 107,390 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Automation Engineer Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 90 institutions offering Automation Engineer Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Automation Engineer Technology is found at ECPI University (ECPI) (144 graduates), Hennepin Technical College (HTC) (123 graduates), Vincennes University (VU) (110 graduates), South Central College (SCC) (57 graduates), and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) (53 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,364 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECPI University (ECPI) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
144 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | ecpi.edu |
| Hennepin Technical College (HTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
123 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | hennepintech.edu |
| Vincennes University (VU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
110 | Vincennes, Indiana | Public | vinu.edu |
| South Central College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
57 | North Mankato, Minnesota | Public | southcentral.edu |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
53 | Perkinston, Mississippi | Public | mgccc.edu |
| Cleveland Community College (CCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
41 | Shelby, North Carolina | Public | clevelandcc.edu |
| Southern California Institute of Technology (SCIT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
41 | Anaheim, California | Private | scitech.edu |
| Seminole State College of Florida |
Other Award
|
34 | Sanford, Florida | Public | seminolestate.edu |
| Piedmont Technical College (PTC) |
Other Award
|
33 | Greenwood, South Carolina | Public | ptc.edu |
| Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSUIT) |
Associate's
|
31 | Okmulgee, Oklahoma | Public | osuit.edu |
| Louisiana Tech University (LA Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Ruston, Louisiana | Public | latech.edu |
| Lorain County Community College (LCCC) |
Associate's
Residency
|
29 | Elyria, Ohio | Public | lorainccc.edu |
| Keiser University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
28 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | keiseruniversity.edu |
| Manatee Technical College (MTC) |
Other Award
|
26 | Bradenton, Florida | Public | manateetech.edu |
| Hawkeye Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
25 | Waterloo, Iowa | Public | hawkeyecollege.edu |
| Front Range Community College (FRCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
22 | Westminster, Colorado | Public | frontrange.edu |
| Alexandria Technical & Community College (ATCC) |
Associate's
|
21 | Alexandria, Minnesota | Public | alextech.edu |
| Clovis Community College (CCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | Clovis, New Mexico | Public | clovis.edu |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) |
Associate's
|
17 | Sioux City, Iowa | Public | witcc.edu |
| College of Southern Idaho (CSI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Twin Falls, Idaho | Public | csi.edu |
| Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
16 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Public | grcc.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
16 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Associate's
|
16 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | ccac.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Withlacoochee Technical College (WTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Inverness, Florida | Public | wtcollege.org |
| Lansing Community College (LCC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Lansing, Michigan | Public | lcc.edu |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
12 | Granite Falls, Minnesota | Public | mnwest.edu |
| Institute of Technology (FIT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Clovis, California | Private | iot.edu |
| Pima Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | pima.edu |
| College of Lake County (CLC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Grayslake, Illinois | Public | clcillinois.edu |
| Washtenaw Community College (WCC) |
Other Award
|
11 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | wccnet.edu |
| Central Lakes College (CLC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
11 | Brainerd, Minnesota | Public | clcmn.edu |
| Pine Technical & Community College (PTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
11 | Pine City, Minnesota | Public | pine.edu |
| Chattanooga State Community College |
Other Award
|
11 | Chattanooga, Tennessee | Public | chattanoogastate.edu |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Williamsport, Pennsylvania | Public | pct.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| Colorado Mesa University (CMU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Grand Junction, Colorado | Public | coloradomesa.edu |
| Southeastern Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
|
10 | West Burlington, Iowa | Public | scciowa.edu |
| Canadian Valley Technology Center (CV Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | El Reno, Oklahoma | Public | cvtech.edu |
| Blue Ridge Community and Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Martinsburg, West Virginia | Public | blueridgectc.edu |
| Waubonsee Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Sugar Grove, Illinois | Public | waubonsee.edu |
| Mitchell Technical College (Mitchell Tech) |
Associate's
|
9 | Mitchell, South Dakota | Public | mitchelltech.edu |
| Texas State Technical College (TSTC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Waco, Texas | Public | tstc.edu |
| Arapahoe Community College (ACC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Littleton, Colorado | Public | arapahoe.edu |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Rome, Georgia | Public | gntc.edu |
| Leeward Community College (LCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Pearl City, Hawaii | Public | leeward.hawaii.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| Hutchinson Community College (HutchCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Hutchinson, Kansas | Public | hutchcc.edu |
| Johnson County Community College (JCCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Overland Park, Kansas | Public | jccc.edu |
| East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Scooba, Mississippi | Public | eastms.edu |
| Randolph Community College (RCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Asheboro, North Carolina | Public | randolph.edu |
| Northwest State Community College (NSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | Archbold, Ohio | Public | northweststate.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
7 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
6 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | sctcc.edu |
| Monroe Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Rochester, New York | Public | monroecc.edu |
| Polk State College |
Other Award
|
5 | Winter Haven, Florida | Public | polk.edu |
| Kishwaukee College (Kish) |
Associate's
|
5 | Malta, Illinois | Public | kish.edu |
| Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Dowagiac, Michigan | Public | swmich.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
5 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| Ridgewater College |
Associate's
|
5 | Willmar, Minnesota | Public | ridgewater.edu |
| Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | otc.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Newbern, Tennessee | Public | tcatnorthwest.edu |
| Collin County Community College District (CCCCD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | McKinney, Texas | Public | collin.edu |
| College of Central Florida (CF) |
Other Award
|
4 | Ocala, Florida | Public | cf.edu |
| Northwood Technical College (Northwood Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
4 | Rice Lake, Wisconsin | Public | northwoodtech.edu |
| Florida State College (FSCJ) |
Other Award
|
3 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | fscj.edu |
| Hillsborough Community College (HCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Tampa, Florida | Public | hccfl.edu |
| South Florida State College (SFSC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Avon Park, Florida | Public | southflorida.edu |
| Kirkwood Community College |
Associate's
|
3 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Public | kirkwood.edu |
| Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
3 | Kansas City, Kansas | Public | kckcc.edu |
| Marion Technical College (MTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
3 | Marion, Ohio | Public | mtc.edu |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Millersville, Pennsylvania | Public | millersville.edu |
| Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Rapid City, South Dakota | Public | wdt.edu |
| Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Lakewood, Washington | Public | cptc.edu |
| West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Wheeling, West Virginia | Public | wvncc.edu |
| Pensacola State College (PSC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Pensacola, Florida | Public | pensacolastate.edu |
| Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Palos Hills, Illinois | Public | morainevalley.edu |
| Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Traverse City, Michigan | Public | nmc.edu |
| Bismarck State College (BSC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Bismarck, North Dakota | Public | bismarckstate.edu |
| Owens Community College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Perrysburg, Ohio | Public | owens.edu |
| Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Public | pikespeak.edu |
| Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) |
Other Award
|
1 | New Port Richey, Florida | Public | phsc.edu |
| Oakton College |
Associate's
|
1 | Des Plaines, Illinois | Public | oakton.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Rolla, Missouri | Public | mst.edu |
| Spartanburg Community College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Public | sccsc.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Associate's
|
1 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| Indiana Institute of Technology |
Other Award
|
1 | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Private | cps.indianatech.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Automation Engineer Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Automation Engineer Technology degree?
Salaries for Automation Engineer Technology graduates vary by role and location. Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $77,180 annually, while Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians earn around $70,760. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $102,500 compared to $51,280 in Indiana. Approximately 107,390 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Automation Engineer Technology programs?
Currently 90 accredited institutions offer Automation Engineer Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include ECPI University (ECPI) (144 graduates), Hennepin Technical College (HTC) (123 graduates), and Vincennes University (VU) (110 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Automation Engineer Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 78 in 2010 to 1,364 in 2023-24. This represents a 1,649% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Automation Engineer Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians, . Related occupations employ approximately 107,390 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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