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Engineering Technology · Mechanical Engineering Technology Rank #26 of 59

Mechanical Engineering Technologyat California State University Maritime Academy

Graduates earn $98,661/yr in their first year — about 59.0% above the national Mechanical Engineering Technology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $826K; scenarios range from $754K to $847K depending on AI disruption.

Vallejo, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
66 SOLID
66
Optimistic
64
Pessimistic
Earnings
$98,661
1-year post-graduation
ROI
31.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$826K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
32% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Cal Maritime

This program's exceptional outcomes stem directly from Cal Maritime's specialized mission. As a maritime academy, you'll receive rigorous, hands-on training tailored for critical roles in shipping, port operations, and related industrial sectors, particularly strong in the Bay Area. This isn't just a general engineering technology degree; it’s a focused pathway preparing you for complex electro-mechanical systems on vessels or land-based infrastructure. Employers like Maersk, Military Sealift Command, or local defense contractors highly value this specialized skill set and disciplined approach, leading to robust career opportunities maintaining intricate machinery. To truly leverage this, immerse yourself in the cadet experience and build strong connections within the tight-knit maritime professional network.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$754K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score64/100
Earnings Multiple24.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$826K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple26.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$847K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple27.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cal Maritime's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$79,830/yr
Moderate
2
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
+1.5% 10-yr growth · 5,700 openings/yr
$77,390/yr
Low
3
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians
+1.1% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$70,760/yr
Moderate
4
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
0.0% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$68,730/yr
Low
5
Mechanical drafters
-6.5% 10-yr growth · 3,300 openings/yr
$68,510/yr
High
6
Motorboat mechanics and service technicians
+6.0% 10-yr growth · 2,600 openings/yr
$54,950/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Mechanical Engineering Technology

How Cal Maritime stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
FL · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$93K
1-yr earn
4.5x
ROI
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
FL · Private nonprofit
64
DW Score
$93K
1-yr earn
19.0x
ROI
Central Connecticut State University
CT · Public
70
DW Score
$74K
1-yr earn
16.6x
ROI
Top score
Metropolitan State University of Denver
CO · Public
72
DW Score
$72K
1-yr earn
19.8x
ROI
Purdue University-Main Campus
IN · Public
70
DW Score
$67K
1-yr earn
19.4x
ROI
Also at Cal Maritime

Other top programs at Cal Maritime

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cal Maritime, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Mechanical Engineering Technology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Mechanical Engineering Technology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Mechanical Engineering Technology at Cal Maritime

What does a 66/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering Technology at California State University Maritime Academy?

At 66/100, California State University Maritime Academy's Mechanical Engineering Technology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.