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Mechanical Equipment Technician I Salary in the United States

How much does a Mechanical Equipment Technician I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Equipment Technician I in the United States is $53,090 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.

However, a Mechanical Equipment Technician I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $62,700
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $46,880 to $58,120
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $41,226
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Mechanical Equipment Technician I Salaries

A Mechanical Equipment Technician I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Mechanical Equipment Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Mechanical Equipment Technician I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Mechanical Equipment Technician I (0-1 years): $53,083
  • Mechanic Technician, Experienced (1-3 years): $58,978
  • Mechanic Technician, Senior (3-5 years): $65,836
  • Mechanic Technician, Lead (5-7 years): $75,677
  • Mechanical Equipment Maintenance Superintendent (7+ years): $81,913
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Mechanical Equipment Technician I0-1 years$53,083
Mechanic Technician, Experienced1-3 years$58,978
Mechanic Technician, Senior3-5 years$65,836
Mechanic Technician, Lead5-7 years$75,677
Mechanical Equipment Maintenance Superintendent7+ years$81,913
View as Graph

How Do Mechanical Equipment Technician I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Mechanical Equipment Technician Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $58,780.
  • California: $58,560.
  • Massachusetts: $57,780.

Top Paying Cities for Mechanical Equipment Technician Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $66,960
  • San Francisco: $66,230
  • Oakland: $64,830

What Skills Can Increase a Mechanical Equipment Technician I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 12.52% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Hydraulics (Mentioned in 3.19% Job Postings): Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
  • Customer Satisfaction (Mentioned in 1.52% Job Postings): Customer satisfaction (often abbreviated as CSAT, more correctly CSat) is a term frequently used in marketing. It is a measure of how products and services supplied by a company meet or surpass customer expectation. Customer satisfaction is defined as "the number of customers, or percentage of total customers, whose reported experience with a firm, its products, or its services (ratings) exceeds specified satisfaction goals." The Marketing Accountability Standards Board (MASB) endorses the definitions, purposes, and constructs of classes of measures that appear in Marketing Metrics as part of its ongoing Common Language in Marketing Project. In a survey of nearly 200 senior marketing managers, 71 percent responded that they found a customer satisfaction metric very useful in managing and monitoring their businesses. It is seen as a key performance indicator within business and is often part of a Balanced Scorecard. In a competitive marketplace where businesses compete for customers, customer satisfaction is seen as a key differentiator and increasingly has become a key element of business strategy.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 12.52%
Hydraulics 3.19%
Customer Satisfaction 1.52%
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What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Mechanical Equipment Technician I's salary.

  • Industry Knowledge: Can increase your salary by up to 43%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Industry Knowledge $75,919
43%
Analysis $55,745
5%
Commitment $55,745
5%
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Mechanical Equipment Technician I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Mechanical Equipment Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $59,330. While startup companies pay approximate $50,187.

Mechanical Equipment Technician I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $50,187
Growth Stage 51~500 $53,078
Established 501~5000 $57,291
Enterprise 5000+ $59,330

Mechanical Equipment Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Mechanical Equipment Technician I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Mechanical Equipment Technician positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Mechanical Equipment Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Mechanical Equipment Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$66,362$32.025%
Energy & Utilities$63,708$31.020%
Construction$61,053$29.015%
Aerospace & Defense$58,399$28.010%
Pharmaceuticals$58,399$28.010%

How Education impacts a Mechanical Equipment Technician I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Mechanical Equipment Technician Is enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Mechanical Equipment Technician I with a No Diploma is between $46,440 and $50,659).

Mechanical Equipment Technician I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Mechanical Equipment Technician I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.4%
High School 64.6%
Associates 23.0%
Bachelors 7.1%
Masters 0.9%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Mechanical Equipment Technician I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Mechanical Equipment Technician I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$46,880
Average $53,090/year
$58,120
$3,907
Average $4,424/month
$4,843
$902
Average $1,021/week
$1,118
$23
Average $26/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $58,120 $4,843 $1,118 $28
Average $53,090 $4,424 $1,021 $26
25th Percentile $46,880 $3,907 $902 $23

Mechanical Equipment Technician I Salary Growth & Career Path

Mechanical Equipment Technician I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Mechanical Equipment Technician I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Refrigeration Maintenance Technician II $63,700 20%
Mechanic Technician, Experienced $59,000 11%

Most common benefits for Mechanical Equipment Technician I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Mechanical Equipment Technician I

Here are companies hiring for Mechanical Equipment Technician I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Mechanical Equipment Technician I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Mechanical Equipment Technician I?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Mechanical Equipment Technician I roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. How much do equipment technicians make in the US?

Equipment Technicians in the US typically earn between $46,940 and $61,200 annually, with a median salary of $53,760. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise in the field, providing a solid overview of potential earnings for this profession.

3. How much do mechanical technicians make in the US?

Mechanical Equipment Technicians in the US earn between $46,940 and $61,200 annually, with a median salary of $53,760. This translates to a monthly pay range of approximately $3,912 to $5,100, with the average salary being around $4,480.

4. What trade pays the most money?

Among trade jobs, Mechanical Equipment Technicians earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $46,940, a mid-range of $53,760, and a maximum of $61,200. While other trades like Construction Managers and Elevator Installers may offer higher pay, Mechanical Equipment Technicians provide a solid earning potential within the skilled trades sector.

5. What is the highest salary of a technician?

The salary for a Mechanical Equipment Technician ranges from ₹46,940 to ₹61,200 annually, with a mid-range salary of ₹53,760.

6. How much is a technician paid in USA?

How much does a Technician make? In the USA, a Mechanical Equipment Technician typically earns between $46,940 and $61,200 annually, with a median salary around $53,760. These figures reflect the range of salaries based on industry data and provide a clear picture of potential earnings in this role.

7. What is the highest paid mechanical job?

The highest paid mechanical job can vary, but roles such as Automation Engineer, Research and Development Engineer, and Senior Mechanical Engineer often lead the pack. For a Mechanical Equipment Technician, salaries range from a minimum of $46,940 to a mid-level of $53,760, with a maximum of $61,200, reflecting the competitive nature of the field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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