Career Profile • 51-9141

Semiconductor processing technicians

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent. 2025 median annual wage: $51430. Projected employment change, 2025–35: 8.1999999999999993%.

Semiconductor processing technicians career field illustration
Typical EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent
Median Annual Wage$51,430
Projected Growth8.2%
Annual Openings3.4
Employment, 202531.2
Projected Employment, 203533.8
Related ExperienceNone
On-the-Job TrainingModerate-term on-the-job training
Skills That Matter

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.

1
Detail oriented

Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.

2
Adaptability

Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.

3
Writing and reading

Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.

How do these skills connect to you?Use Hear From ED to reflect on your strengths, interests and work preferences.Explore with ED →
Education & Training Pathway

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.

🎓Typical Entry EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent
🧰On-the-Job TrainingModerate-term on-the-job training
💼Related ExperienceNone

How to Become One

Semiconductor processing technicians typically need a high school diploma or the equivalent to enter the occupation. Some technicians complete a certificate or associate’s degree program. Once hired, they typically receive on-the-job training. PayThe median annual wage for semiconductor processing technicians was $51,430 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of semiconductor processing technicians is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 3,400 openings for semiconductor processing 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for semiconductor processing technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of semiconductor processing technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about semiconductor processing technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Your Next Step

Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.

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Earnings

Pay

The median annual wage for semiconductor processing technicians was $51,430 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of semiconductor processing technicians is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 3,400 openings for semiconductor processing 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for semiconductor processing technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of semiconductor processing technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about semiconductor processing technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

$51,4302025 median annual wage
Future Outlook

Job Outlook

Employment of semiconductor processing technicians is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 3,400 openings for semiconductor processing 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for semiconductor processing technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of semiconductor processing technicians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about semiconductor processing technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What They Do

Semiconductor processing technicians perform tasks in the manufacture of electronic semiconductors, commonly known as integrated circuits or microchips, that are used in cars, smartphones, and other everyday devices.

Work Environment

Most semiconductor processing technicians are employed full time, primarily in manufacturing plants. They work in “cleanrooms” and must wear special garments over their clothing to keep the cleanroom free from contamination.

How to Become a Semiconductor Processing Technician

Semiconductor processing technicians typically need a high school diploma or the equivalent to enter the occupation. Some technicians complete a certificate or associate’s degree program. Once hired, they typically receive on-the-job training.

Pay

The median annual wage for semiconductor processing technicians was $51,430 in May 2025.

Job Outlook

Employment of semiconductor processing technicians is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 3,400 openings for semiconductor processing 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.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for semiconductor processing technicians.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of semiconductor processing technicians with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about semiconductor processing technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Work Environment

Most semiconductor processing technicians are employed full time, primarily in manufacturing plants. They work in “cleanrooms” and must wear special garments over their clothing to keep the cleanroom free from contamination.

How to Become a Semiconductor Processing Technician

Semiconductor processing technicians typically need a high school diploma or the equivalent to enter the occupation. Some technicians complete a certificate or associate’s degree program. Once hired, they typically receive on-the-job training.

Pay

The median annual wage for semiconductor processing technicians was $51,430 in May 2025.

Job Outlook

Employment of semiconductor processing technicians is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 3,400 openings for semiconductor processing 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.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for semiconductor processing technicians.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of semiconductor processing technicians with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about semiconductor processing technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for semiconductor processing technicians.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of semiconductor processing technicians with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about semiconductor processing technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

More Information

Learn more about semiconductor processing technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Take the Next Step

Explore Training Options

Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.

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Search Jobs

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Hear From ED

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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.

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