Also called: Robot Programmer, Robotic Welding Programmer
Teaches factory robots exactly how to weld, paint, pick and pack.
You stand in a robot cell with a teach pendant, guiding a robot arm point by point along a car part, then fine-tune speed and angles until every weld is perfect. When the line changes to a new car model, you reprogram the whole cell over a weekend.
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 robotics or mechatronics; FANUC or ABB certification.
Ways in: 2-year college, Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Robotics Technology, Mechatronics.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technicians overall.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI and simulation now auto-generate many robot paths, reducing hand teaching; tricky setups and line changes still need skilled programmers.
Classes: Computer science, Geometry, Electronics CTE, Shop class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-3024.
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.