Automation & Robotics Technician Jobs
Market Insight for Automation & Robotics Technician Jobs
Based on data from 815 job postings • Updated
The shift toward automated manufacturing and warehouse operations has created sustained demand for technicians who can install, maintain, and troubleshoot industrial robots and control systems. 531 active positions reflect an ongoing reality: facilities can't afford extended downtime when automation fails.
Based on 295 job postings, median salaries reach $69,550 annually. Entry-level technicians with basic PLC knowledge and mechanical skills start around $60,320. Senior technicians with certifications from FANUC, ABB, or Rockwell Automation and expertise across multiple platforms command $79,664 to $168,100. Premium pay typically comes from specialization in high-speed packaging, automotive assembly, or cleanroom environments where downtime costs run into six figures per hour.
Industrial manufacturing, automotive production, and distribution centers drive the majority of hiring. Amazon's fulfillment center expansion, automotive OEM operations, and food processing plants create geographic opportunities beyond traditional manufacturing regions. These facilities need technicians who can handle mechanical, electrical, and programming work.
The role demands expertise in maintenance and reliability practices, PLC programming, and electrical design. Most facilities run Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Mitsubishi controllers. You'll troubleshoot ladder logic, fault-find with multimeters, and work through sensor feedback issues. Understanding electrical design becomes critical as you move into more complex installations with vision systems, servo drives, and safety circuits. The best technicians develop a mental library of failure modes and can diagnose problems faster than the system logs them.
Career progression typically moves from apprentice to lead technician within 3-5 years, then into controls engineering, project management, or facility maintenance leadership. Labor shortages and efficiency demands continue driving automation adoption, which means strong job security for skilled technicians.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Automation & Robotics Technician Jobs
You install, maintain, and repair automated manufacturing systems. Industrial robots, conveyor systems, packaging equipment, assembly line automation. Day-to-day work involves preventive maintenance like lubrication, calibration, and replacing wear parts.
When production goes down, you troubleshoot by reading PLC code, testing sensors, and swapping components. You'll also assist with system upgrades and new installations. Expect a mix of mechanical work, electrical work, and programming tasks.
Most positions require shift work since production runs 24/7 and downtime response is time-critical.
Jobs heavily favor maintenance and reliability knowledge, PLC programming ability, and electrical design skills. You need to read and modify ladder logic, understand electrical schematics, and know how sensors, servos, and VFDs work in automated systems.
Most employers want an associate degree in mechatronics, industrial maintenance, or electrical technology. Some will hire candidates with strong trade school credentials or military technical training. Hands-on experience matters more than credentials.
Certifications from FANUC, ABB, Rockwell, or Siemens strengthen your position and often unlock higher pay.
Automotive manufacturing, logistics and warehousing, food and beverage processing, and pharmaceutical packaging dominate. Amazon has 29 open positions, reflecting massive fulfillment center expansion.
Beyond the big names, hiring comes from Tier 1 automotive suppliers, contract packaging facilities, beverage bottling plants, and semiconductor fabs. The strongest markets are in the Midwest, the Southeast automotive corridor, and emerging logistics hubs where Amazon, Walmart, and major third-party logistics providers are building facilities.
Based on 295 job postings, median salaries hit $69,550 annually. Entry-level positions start around $60,320 with 1-2 years of experience or fresh from a technical program. Experienced technicians with multi-platform expertise earn $79,664 or more.
Top earners work in automotive plants, cleanroom environments, or high-speed packaging facilities where specialized knowledge commands premium pay. Shift differentials add 10-20% for nights and weekends. Overtime during installations or major maintenance outages can significantly boost total compensation.
Yes. Facilities can't operate without qualified maintenance personnel, and the skill set isn't easily automated or outsourced. 531 active positions and accelerating manufacturing reshoring show consistently high demand.
Career progression is clear: lead technician roles within 3-5 years, then advancement into controls engineering, maintenance management, or applications engineering for automation vendors. The skills transfer across industries, giving you geographic and sector mobility.
Technology shifts like collaborative robots, vision systems, and industrial IoT create learning curves that favor experienced technicians willing to stay current.
Most employers prefer an associate degree in mechatronics, industrial technology, or electrical systems. But the field remains accessible through alternative paths. Military technical training, union apprenticeships, or strong trade school programs can get you hired if you have demonstrable hands-on experience.
Some facilities run internal apprentice programs combining classroom learning with supervised floor time. What matters most is proving you can troubleshoot under pressure, read technical documentation, and safely work around high-voltage and moving machinery.
Starting as a maintenance helper and cross-training into automation is common, though expect a steep learning curve without formal training.
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