The 3 best mechatronics AAS programs in Nevada, ranked
Reno, NV
Automation and Robotics, Manufacturing Technologies AAS
Truckee Meadows Community College
Truckee Meadows Community College's Automation and Robotics AAS is the primary academic pipeline for Tesla Gigafactory Nevada workforce. Partner institution in the Tesla Manufacturing Development Program where 1,000+ apprentices have completed 11 credits in 4 weeks paid by Tesla. Also feeds Panasonic, Switch SuperNAP data centers, and Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center tenants.
Tuition
$8,175/yr
Duration
24 mo
Format
On-campus
Accred.
Regionally accredited (NWCCU)
Apprenticeship
Industry partners
Overall
73
of 100
Click any factor for details
Carson City, NV
Mechatronics and Electronics Technology AAS
Western Nevada College
Western Nevada College's Mechatronics and Electronics Technology AAS is the only school in the western United States partnered with Siemens through the Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program (SMSCP). Carson City and Fernley delivery, with named employer partners Tesla, Panasonic, and Click Bond.
Tuition
$7,380/yr
Duration
24 mo
Format
On-campus
Accred.
Regionally accredited (NWCCU)
Industry partners
Overall
70
of 100
Click any factor for details
Las Vegas, NV
Advanced Manufacturing: Automation AAS
College of Southern Nevada
College of Southern Nevada's Advanced Manufacturing: Automation AAS serves the Las Vegas metro hospitality automation, distribution-center, and data-center MEP automation roles. Different employer mix from the Reno-area Tesla pipeline.
Tuition
$8,220/yr
Duration
24 mo
Format
On-campus
Accred.
Regionally accredited (NWCCU)
Overall
65
of 100
Click any factor for details
Why Nevada is one of the fastest-growing US mechatronics markets
Tesla Gigafactory Nevada (7,000+ employees), Switch SuperNAP data centers, Redwood Materials battery recycling (1,000+), Panasonic Sparks, plus 107,000-acre Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center filling with new tenants. Northern NV manufacturing has tripled since 2018. Southern NV (Las Vegas) adds Microsoft, Google, Apple data centers plus hospitality and distribution automation. Mechatronics-technician demand exceeds local supply.
Top Nevada employers hiring mechatronics technicians
Tesla Gigafactory Nevada (Sparks)
7,000+ employees, ongoing expansion. TMCC Tesla MDP pipeline.
Switch SuperNAP data centers
Multiple NV sites. Data-center MEP automation roles.
Redwood Materials (Carson City)
Tesla ex-CTO JB Straubel's battery recycling. 1,000+ employees.
Panasonic Sparks + Lithium Americas Thacker Pass + broader TRI tenants
Tesla battery partner plus growing lithium and broader tenant base.
Microsoft, Google, Apple data centers + Aristocrat Gaming + IGT (Las Vegas)
Southern NV employer base. CSN pipeline.
Mechatronics technician salary in Nevada
- SOC 17-3024 in NV: median around $58,000 to $66,000.
- SOC 17-3027 in NV: median around $54,000 to $62,000.
- Entry-level AAS holders typically start around $44,000 to $54,000.
- Cost of living in Nevada: around 102 percent of US average. Reno-Sparks at 105 percent, Carson City at 95 percent, Las Vegas at 102 percent.
Paying for a Nevada mechatronics AAS
- NV community college tuition: $7,380-$8,220/year. Around $123-$137/credit.
- Federal Pell Grants: up to $7,395/year. Covers most or all tuition for eligible students.
- Nevada Promise Scholarship: covers tuition at NV community colleges for recent high school graduates.
- Tesla MDP: Tesla pays full tuition for selected cohort participants.
How we ranked Nevada mechatronics AAS programs
7-factor methodology: accreditation (25%), leadership (15%), pathways (15%), delivery (15%), employer signal (15%), cost (10%), reputation (5%). See full methodology. TMCC scores highest on employer signal (Tesla MDP). WNC scores highest on accreditation alignment (Siemens SMSCP partnership). CSN scores well for southern NV regional placement.
Nevada mechatronics AAS: frequently asked questions
Which Nevada school has the best mechatronics AAS?
What does a Nevada mechatronics technician earn?
Can I ladder a NV AAS into a four-year degree?
Sources
- BLS OEWS for SOC 17-3024, 17-3027 in Nevada, May 2024 release.
- Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development.
- TMCC Automation and Robotics AAS.
- WNC Mechatronics and Electronics Technology AAS.
- CSN Advanced Manufacturing: Automation AAS.
- NWCCU institutional accreditation.