Also called: Mechanical Testing Technician, Lab Technician
Runs machines that pull, crush, bend and heat materials to measure how strong they are.
You clamp a metal sample into a tensile machine that slowly pulls it apart until it snaps with a bang. You record the numbers, then run hardness tests and prepare a report for the engineer.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate in materials or engineering technology, or on-the-job training.
Ways in: 2-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Engineering Technology, Materials Technology.
Growing about average.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Automated test machines and AI reporting handle more routine tests; sample prep and unusual tests still need people.
Classes: Chemistry, Physics, Algebra, Shop class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-3029.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.