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The robotics technician is what could be considered an entry-level role in the robotics field. Of course, just because it’s an entry-level robotics job doesn’t mean it’s any less exciting than any of the other roles. 

Robotics technicians are tasked with working on the manufacturing floor with the robots. They’re hands-on workers who maintain, troubleshoot, and operate the robots. If you’re someone who thinks robotics is just the coolest thing out there, then this might be the role for you. 

Starting as a robotics maintenance technician is also a great way to build your skill set with hands-on experience, and could eventually serve as a stepping stone to a higher-tier position on the robotics career path. 

Furthermore, the average robotics salary for a robotics technician is a little more than $50,000. 

It also takes less education than you might think to work as a robot technician, particularly as much of the skill set will be developed through on-the-job training. In general, it takes a 2-year degree or a trade school robotics certification to get your foot in the door at that first robotics technician job. 

As such, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best robotics colleges and programs for robotics technician education. All of the schools on this list are taken from RoboticsCareer.org, which has a database of thousands of programs from around the country, letting us hone the list down to your best robotics engineering schools. 

These listed programs have all earned the ARM Endorsement badge, which means we’ve thoroughly vetted them and found them to be exceptional. With as many strong candidates as there are, narrowing down the list to only the best robotics engineering schools was no easy feat, but in the interest of ensuring you get the education toward a lucrative and fulfilling career, here is the list of the best robotics colleges you can apply for to start your career.

The Educational Robotics Training - Core Program at Universal Robots - Ann Arbor, MI

This program is a perfect primer for robotics technician training and builds a solid foundation for the skills necessary for becoming a robotics technician. 

Throughout the course of the program, students get hands-on experience with a Universal Robot, as hands-on experience is a must-have for a program to make it onto our best robotics colleges list. They’ll program the robot to perform various common tasks, such as the operation of common peripherals like conveyors, sensors, and grippers. 

The program is conducted in a hybrid format, meaning some of it is online, and some of it is on-site with hands-on capabilities. 

Students will earn a Workforce certificate after completion of the program. 

Learn more here. 

The Mechatronics Technology Program at the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, PA

This is a year-long and completely on-site certificate program that is renowned for priming new workers for the robotics in the manufacturing field, earning its place on our list of the best robotics schools. 

Students will learn the integrated skills of supply chain, process technology, robotics/artificial intelligence and electrical systems. All of these skills are directly related to the tasks and responsibilities of a robotics technician, and we couldn’t recommend the course enough. 

Upon graduation, students will have developed skills and knowledge in five major areas: computer programming, electrical systems, mechanical systems, robotics, and additive manufacturing or 3d printing. 

Learn more here. 

The Robot Technician 1 Training Program at Fortress Academy in York, PA

This is a 15-week accelerated vocational training program that provides valuable hands-on training to build, install, and repair robotic cells. Essentially, it’s a hands-on tour through many of the things a robotics technician will be doing on a day-to-day basis. 

Students will gain skills and understanding through 4 major sections: Personal and Robot Safety, Light Fabrication, Industrial Electronics, and Robot Programming. 

Learn more here. 

The Robotics Program at WSU Tech in Wichita, KS

This is a full-fledged Associate’s degree program that takes two years to complete and involves a variety of courses designed to completely educate an aspiring robotics technician from the ground up. 

The student will master the skills necessary to design, assemble, install, program, troubleshoot and maintain robotic and automated equipment while having the breadth of knowledge that comes from general education. 

Learn more here. 

The SMART Robotics Technician Program at Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy in Pittsburgh, PA

This is the result of an ARM Instituted-funded effort called the Smart Manufacturing and Advanced Robotics Training Project. 

SMART is made up of five micro-certification courses that focus on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are needed by robotics technicians in today’s manufacturing and robotics industry. 

The courses were developed to focus on all of the things that make a great robotics technician. They even interviewed hiring managers to better understand exactly what sort of workers they’re looking for to join their companies. 

If you’re anywhere near the Pittsburgh area, and you’re thinking about becoming a robotics technician, you definitely can’t go wrong with the SMART Robotics Technician Program. 

Learn more here. 

Of course there are many wonderful robotics technician programs all around the country, so be sure to use our search tool to find the one that’s the best fit for you!

About The Author

Lisa Masciantonio 

Chief Workforce Officer

Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute 

Lisa Masciantonio is the Chief Workforce Officer for the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute. She joined the ARM Institute in May 2017 as the Director of Membership and Outreach.  She moved to the position of Chief Workforce Officer in 2019 and she is responsible for driving the Education & Workforce Development vision for ARM in conjunction with the ARM membership, the federal and state government partners, and other expert stakeholders. 

Lisa brings with her over 25 years of experience as a performance-driven leader with notable success in cultivating and executing business strategies and formulating long-term strategic client relationships.  She has proven success in developing business solutions, commercialization of products, technology transfer, and technological initiatives that have supported organizational growth, improved staff productivity, and increased value to many communities of practice. Critical to her success is the ability to increase awareness and drive thought leadership position by designing and executing innovative programs as well as developing and launching new, value-add offerings for ongoing competitiveness. Lisa received a Bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University and 2 Master’s degrees from Carnegie Mellon University. 

In 2021, Lisa was recognized as one of 20 world-wide Exceptional Women in Robotics and Automation by SME. In 2022, she was recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times as a Women of Influence and was also part of the inaugural Technical.ly Pittsburgh RealLIST Connectors list, which recognizes the top 100 influential leaders in Pittsburgh tech.