What To Look for in a Robotics & Automation Education?
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Robotics Career Path: Is Robotics and Automation a Good Career?
The field of robotics and automation encompasses a wide range of technologies aimed at designing, building and using robots and automated systems to perform tasks traditionally done by humans.
If you’re into technology and working with your hands, you may be wondering if a career in robotics and automation is right for you. Universal Technical Institute (UTI) offers two different program options that can help you pursue a career as a robotics and automation technician.1
But first, keep reading to learn more and see if it sounds like the robotics career path is right for you.
Is Robotics and Automation a Good Career?
As industries across the country are expanding and adopting automation to enhance efficiency, reduce costs and improve precision, the need for professionals able to work with this equipment continues to grow.
From healthcare to logistics to agriculture and manufacturing, robotics and automation is becoming more and more common in all kinds of sectors. For those who like to work with computers and their hands and appreciate a good challenge, it can be a very good industry to pursue.
Robotics and Automation Job Market
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), total employment of robotics technicians is expected to exceed 14,000 by 2032.73
The BLS also gives some insight into salary expectations for the role. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for robotics and automation technicians in the United States was $65,080 in May 2023.59 This means half earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.
What Does a Career in Robotics and Automation Look Like?
A career in robotics and automation can be dynamic, challenging and rewarding, offering opportunities to work with new technology and make contributions to various industries.
With the right education, skills and a commitment to continuous learning, professionals in this field can look forward to a promising and impactful career.
Robotics and automation techs are working to design, develop and maintain computers, robots and other automated systems. Some key roles and responsibilities of a robotics and automation technician may include:
- Installation and setup of robotic systems and automation equipment
- Configuring robots and automation systems based on specifications
- Conducting tests to ensure systems are installed correctly
- Performing routine maintenance on systems to maintain good working condition
- Implementing system upgrades and enhancements to improve performance
- Programming robots and automated systems by writing, modifying and testing code
- Monitoring system performance
- Operating robotic systems during production runs
- Adhering to safety standards and following OSHA regulations
- Participating in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system performance
Types of robotics and automation jobs in the industry
UTI grads are prepared to pursue entry-level roles. As with any industry, over time, technicians may be able to advance in their careers with experience and hard work.77 Some entry-level job opportunities may include:
- Robotics & automation technician
- Control systems technician
- Maintenance technician
Examples of more advanced roles could be:
- Instrumentation and controls technician
- Service technician III
- Senior maintenance technician
- Process control tech
- Product tech specialist
- Test engineering technician
- System integrator
- Robotics engineer
- Project engineer
- Control engineer
- Automation program manager
How To Get Started in a Robotics Career Path?
If you’re interested in pursuing a role in robotics and automation, the first step you could take is enrolling in a trade school. Getting specialized, hands-on training for the industry can help ensure you have the knowledge employers are looking for.
UTI’s lab settings help mirror what it’s like to work as a tech in the industry, and students are taught by industry professionals with real-world experience. This helps them gain practical skills that can translate into the field.
Robotics and automation training doesn’t take as long as you might think to complete. Students can finish UTI’s Robotics & Automation programs in 12 to 18 months depending on the program and campus they choose.
Robotics and automation courses cover a range of topics, including applied physics and precision measuring, computer-aided design, DC and AC electricity, industrial networking and more.
Graduates are prepared to pursue entry-level roles as robotics and automation technicians.
READ: What To Look for in a Robotics & Automation Education?
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1 ) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2 ) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.
59 ) The Robotics & Automation program prepares graduates for entry-level positions using the provided training, primarily as robotics & automation technicians. Estimated annual salary is for Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians as published in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages. Entry-level salaries are lower for graduates. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. Graduates’ achievements vary. Individual circumstances and wages depend on economic factors, personal credentials, work experience, industry certifications, the location of the employer, and their compensation programs. Some graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as robotics & automation technicians, such as control systems technicians and maintenance technicians. Salary information for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: The average annual entry-level salary range for persons employed as Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians (17-3024) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is $43,480 (Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development, May 2022 data https://lmi.dua.eol.mass.gov/lmi/OccupationalEmploymentAndWageAllIndustries/OEWResult?A=01&GA=000025&OG=173024&Dopt=TEXT). Salary information for North Carolina: The U.S. Department of Labor estimates the hourly median wage for skilled robotics & automation technicians in North Carolina is $24.41 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages, Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians). The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish entry-level salary data. However, the 25th and 10th percentile of hourly earnings in North Carolina are $22.09 and $19.13, respectively.
73 ) The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that total national employment for Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians will be 15,600 by 2033. See Table 1.2 Occupational projections, 2023–33, and worker characteristics, 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, viewed November 4, 2024. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
77 ) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. UTI prepares graduates for entry-level careers using the provided training. UTI graduates’ achievements may vary. Some UTI graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than those listed.
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
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