Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Calibration Technologist or Technician Calibration technologists and technicians must have dexterity when using the tools to calibrate and test measurement devices. Calibration technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree or other postsecondary
Education
and Training High school students interested in this occupation should take classes in math and science. Some calibration technologists and technicians qualify for positions with a high school diploma or equivalent. To become fully competent, they receive training on the job, which may include guidance or supervision from an experienced calibration technician. Calibration technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree in a field such as electronics engineering technology. These programs are usually offered at community colleges and technical schools and may include coursework in topics such as circuitry, metrology, and engineering. Other Experience Calibration technologists and technicians sometimes enter the occupation after gaining experience in the same industry for which a particular measurement device is used. For example, in the healthcare industry, a cardiovascular technician may become a calibration technician who works on pacemakers. Licenses, Certification, and Registrations Some calibration technologists and technicians earn optional certification. Certification may require a certain level of education, a specified amount of work experience, and passing an examination. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.
Training
in a technical or scientific field. Some workers enter the occupation with a high school diploma and learn their skills on the job.
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Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of calibration technologists and technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,500 openings for calibration technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment As automation increases the number and complexity of devices, calibration technologists and technicians will be needed to apply their knowledge of measurement science to evaluate and adjust a variety of equipment. Calibration Technologists and Technicians Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Calibration technologists and technicians 5% Total, all occupations 3% Drafters, engineering technicians, and mapping technicians 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Calibration Technologists and Technicians Do
Calibration technologists and technicians inspect, adjust, and test measurement devices against standards, such as those used in manufacturing, healthcare, and other industries.
Duties
- Inspect equipment for defects
- Compare readings of measurement devices with established standards to ensure proper output
- Adjust, if necessary, and test devices to check that calibration was successful and readings are accurate
- Perform preventive maintenance on equipment
- Record test results and maintenance performed
- Coordinate schedules for servicing devices
Calibration technologists and technicians ensure precision across an industry by applying the principles of measurement science to processes, systems, and products. They work with a variety of instruments, meters, gauges, and other measurement devices.
The devices that these workers calibrate are used in a range of industries. For example, they may evaluate and adjust pressure gauges used in automotive manufacturing to verify that assembly equipment is functioning properly or develop anemometer tests for measuring output from wind turbines to confirm efficiency.
Some measurement devices are calibrated to industry standards, such as those set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. For other devices, calibration technologists and technicians may be involved in helping to establish standards by developing tests and guidelines.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Calibration technologists and technicians held about 17,000 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of calibration technologists and technicians were as follows:
| Manufacturing | 35% |
| Testing laboratories and services | 16 |
| Electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance | 8 |
| Merchant wholesalers, durable goods | 7 |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 3 |
Calibration technologists and technicians work in a variety of settings, depending on the industry in which the tools they calibrate are used. For example, in manufacturing they may work in a plant that produces chemicals, computers and electronics, machinery, or other products. Research and development might require working in a testing laboratory.
Some workers are required to travel between sites.
Injuries and Illnesses
Calibration technologists and technicians may encounter health and safety hazards in the workplace, such as exposure to loud or dangerous machinery in manufacturing facilities or to toxic materials in laboratories. To minimize their risk of injury or illness, they may wear hearing protection, gloves, a mask, or other personal protective equipment.
Work Schedules
Most calibration technologists and technicians work full time. Some work shifts that may include early mornings, nights, or weekends.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. Calibration technologists and technicians must be able to convey information both orally and in writing, such as explaining results and writing reports about calibration tests. Critical-thinking skills. Calibration technologists and technicians may need to create new methods for adjusting measurement devices based on calibration requirements. Detail oriented. Calibration technologists and technicians must ensure that measurement devices are adjusted to precise outputs. Dexterity. Calibration technologists and technicians must be agile and steady-handed when using tools to calibrate and test measurement devices. Physical strength. Calibration technologists and technicians may have to lift heavy equipment or machinery. Technical skills. Calibration technologists and technicians must know how to operate and fix manufacturing, laboratory, and other machinery or equipment.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about calibration technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.