Semiconductor processing technicians salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $51,430 | $24.73 |
| Mean (average) | $60,180 | $28.93 |
| 90th percentile | $82,540 | $39.68 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Semiconductor processing technicians pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 21 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $78,940 | $38,410 | $102,180 | 2,270 | 3.46 |
| Arkansas | $40,610 | $36,500 | $51,620 | 40 | 0.16 |
| California | $48,030 | $40,550 | $61,030 | 4,650 | 1.26 |
| Colorado | $52,360 | $38,110 | $65,010 | 790 | 1.35 |
| Connecticut | $47,000 | $45,470 | $56,040 | 50 | 0.13 |
| Florida | $62,330 | $39,980 | $80,390 | 190 | 0.09 |
| Georgia | $48,580 | $41,320 | $48,580 | ||
| Maine | $47,270 | $40,120 | $62,130 | 320 | 2.46 |
| Maryland | $47,610 | $42,020 | $60,770 | 120 | 0.21 |
| Massachusetts | $51,410 | $41,870 | $72,750 | 1,190 | 1.62 |
| Michigan | Data unavailable | 270 | 0.3 | ||
| Minnesota | $57,780 | $49,160 | $58,030 | ||
| Nevada | $37,290 | $35,020 | $45,740 | ||
| New Hampshire | $47,710 | $46,790 | $74,390 | 130 | 0.96 |
| New York | $49,400 | $48,830 | $62,210 | 1,750 | 0.89 |
| North Carolina | $56,160 | $39,640 | $83,770 | 60 | 0.06 |
| Oregon | $63,330 | $48,720 | $80,510 | 6,620 | 16.63 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,430 | $36,640 | $61,890 | 340 | 0.27 |
| Texas | $38,440 | $31,750 | $59,500 | 6,110 | 2.15 |
| Utah | $40,760 | $32,070 | $54,960 | 120 | 0.34 |
| Washington | $58,710 | $49,490 | $74,520 | 990 | 1.38 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for semiconductor processing technicians
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 3,400. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for semiconductor processing technicians
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/Technician CIP 15.0616
- Industrial Electronics Technology/Technician CIP 47.0105
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Inspect materials, components, or products for surface defects and measure circuitry, using electronic test equipment, precision measuring instruments, microscope, and standard procedures.
- Study work orders, instructions, formulas, and processing charts to determine specifications and sequence of operations.
- Clean semiconductor wafers using cleaning equipment, such as chemical baths, automatic wafer cleaners, or blow-off wands.
- Maintain processing, production, and inspection information and reports.
- Place semiconductor wafers in processing containers or equipment holders, using vacuum wand or tweezers.
- Load and unload equipment chambers and transport finished product to storage or to area for further processing.
- Manipulate valves, switches, and buttons, or key commands into control panels to start semiconductor processing cycles.
- Inspect equipment for leaks, diagnose malfunctions, and request repairs.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (in demand)
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (in demand)
- Python (in demand)
- SAP software (in demand)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Camstar Systems Camstar Semiconductor Suite
- Database software
- Eyelit Manufacturing
- National Instruments TestStand
- yieldWerx
Transferable skills for career changers: Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Operation and Control, Equipment Maintenance.
Common job titles: Device Processing Engineer, Diffusion Operator, Manufacture Specialist, Manufacturing Technician (Manufacturing Tech), Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition Engineer (MOCVD Engineer), Probe Operator, Process Technician (Process Tech), Semiconductor Laboratory Technician (Semiconductor Lab Tech), Wafer Fabrication Operator, Wafer Technician (Wafer Tech).
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do semiconductor processing technicians make?
The national median annual wage for semiconductor processing technicians was $51,430 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $37,690 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $82,540. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do semiconductor processing technicians need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is semiconductor processing technicians a growing career?
BLS projects employment of semiconductor processing technicians to change +8.2% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 3,400 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay semiconductor processing technicians the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Arizona ($78,940), Oregon ($63,330), Florida ($62,330). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.