All careers › Calibration Technologists and Technicians
Calibration technician: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $46,680lowest 10% earn less
- $56,38025th percentile
- $67,820median
- $92,08075th percentile
- $106,550top 10% earn more
A calibration technician earned a median of $67,820 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].
How much do calibration technicians make?
The official BLS category is Calibration Technologists and Technicians. In May 2025 the median wage was $67,820 a year, or $32.61 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $74,170 a year, or $35.66 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[5].
Here is the range from lower to higher paid workers:
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th[4][9] | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| 25th[4][9] | $56,380 | $27.11 |
| Median[1] | $67,820 | $32.61 |
| 75th[4][9] | $92,080 | $44.27 |
| 90th[4][9] | $106,550 | $51.23 |
A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $46,680[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10].
These figures cover full-time and part-time wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits[11].
Pay by state and city
Washington had the highest median wage among the 36 states with published data, at $93,880[12]. Oklahoma ($80,920) and Louisiana ($80,670) came next[12]. Kentucky had the lowest listed median, $55,650[12].
Texas had the most jobs, with 5,020[13]. California (1,250), Indiana (810), New York (800) and Ohio (740) followed[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA had the highest median at $107,220[14]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA followed at $101,840, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $99,660[14]. The metro area with the most jobs was Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX with 1,930 and a median of $78,610[15]. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX came next with 890 jobs[15].
Show median pay in 36 states
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Washington[12] | $93,880 | 270 |
| Oklahoma | $80,920 | 150 |
| Louisiana | $80,670 | 480 |
| California | $79,010 | 1,250 |
| Vermont | $77,950 | 30 |
| New Jersey | $77,040 | 390 |
| Massachusetts | $75,500 | 380 |
| Texas | $74,100 | 5,020 |
| Virginia | $72,730 | 330 |
| Tennessee | $71,660 | 130 |
| Michigan | $70,140 | 400 |
| Arizona | $69,230 | 400 |
| Oregon | $68,830 | 170 |
| Utah | $67,300 | 80 |
| South Carolina | $66,910 | 70 |
| Georgia | $66,730 | 140 |
| New Hampshire | $66,650 | 280 |
| New Mexico | $65,650 | 190 |
| Ohio | $65,520 | 740 |
| Nevada | $64,530 | 110 |
| Rhode Island | $64,390 | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,700 | 370 |
| Colorado | $63,660 | 260 |
| Nebraska | $63,530 | 130 |
| Connecticut | $63,420 | 120 |
| Indiana | $61,930 | 810 |
| Missouri | $61,510 | 280 |
| Iowa | $61,490 | 110 |
| New York | $61,270 | 800 |
| Wisconsin | $61,060 | 320 |
| North Carolina | $61,000 | 410 |
| Maryland | $60,860 | 200 |
| Minnesota | $60,360 | 400 |
| Florida | $59,770 | 480 |
| Illinois | $59,590 | n/a |
| Kentucky | $55,650 | 90 |
How to become a calibration technician
BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical education for entry, with no work experience in a related job and no typical on-the-job training[7]. The Occupational Outlook Handbook adds that some workers enter with a high school diploma and learn the skills on the job[16].
- First: take math and science classes in high school[17].
- Next: choose a path. One is an associate's degree in a technical field, for example electronics engineering technology, usually offered at community colleges and technical schools[18]. Another is a high school diploma, where training on the job may include guidance from an experienced calibration technician[17].
- Then: build skills. Associate's programs may include circuitry, metrology and engineering[18].
- Also possible: move over from another job. Some workers come from the industry that uses the device, such as a cardiovascular technician who becomes a calibration technician working on pacemakers[19].
- Optional: earn a certification. It may require a certain education, work experience and an exam[20].
O*NET places the job in Job Zone Three, which means medium preparation is needed[21].
What calibration technicians do
They apply methods for calibrating measurement devices, using knowledge of measurement science, math, physics, chemistry and electronics. They may also do preventive maintenance and fix calibration problems[22]. Common tasks reported to O*NET include:
- Maintaining or repairing the equipment used for calibration testing[23].
- Running calibration tests on mechanical and electromechanical equipment[23].
- Comparing readings such as pressure, temperature or humidity to known standards[23].
- Measuring parts with precision instruments to check they meet specifications[23].
- Reading blueprints, schematics and technical orders[23].
- Taking equipment apart and putting it back together for inspection[23].
- Analyzing test data and planning test sequences[23].
- Writing reports on test results[23].
BLS says the job calls for attention to detail, steady hands and clear communication[24][25][26]. Workers may also need to lift heavy equipment[27].
Where they work
Settings depend on the industry that uses the tools being calibrated. In manufacturing they may work in a plant, and research and development may mean a testing laboratory[28]. Manufacturing was the largest employer group, at 35%[29]. Some workers travel between sites[30].
Most work full time. Some work in shifts that can fall on early mornings, nights or weekends[31]. Loud machinery or toxic materials can pose hazards, so workers may wear protective equipment such as hearing protection, gloves or a mask[32].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 17,000 to 17,800 jobs, a change of +800[2]. For all occupations the projected growth is 3.5%[3]. These counts include self-employed workers[2]. About 1.2% of calibration technicians were self-employed in 2025[33].
BLS projects about 1,500 openings a year[6]. That count includes jobs that open when people retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3% of workers leave the labor force and 5.2% move to a different occupation[34].
Is it a good fit?
Pay is above the all-occupations median, with $67,820 against $50,980[1][5]. The typical entry education is an associate's degree, and some people start with a high school diploma and train on the job[7][16]. Growth of 4.8% is faster than the 3.5% for all occupations[2][3]. The job suits people who like precise measuring, testing and writing up results[23][25]. Pay differs a lot by place, so check your own state and metro area[12][14].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a calibration technician make an hour?
- The median hourly wage was $32.61 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $22.44 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $51.23[9].
- What degree do you need to be a calibration technician?
- BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry education[7]. Some workers enter with a high school diploma and learn on the job[16].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Calibration Technologists and Technicians in the US was $67,820 per year and $32.61 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Calibration Technologists and Technicians is projected to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 17,000 to 17,800 jobs (a change of +800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Calibration Technologists and Technicians: 10th percentile $46,680, 25th percentile $56,380, 75th percentile $92,080, 90th percentile $106,550. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 1,500 openings for Calibration Technologists and Technicians are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Calibration Technologists and Technicians: education needed for entry: Associate's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Calibration Technologists and Technicians was $74,170 per year and $35.66 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Calibration Technologists and Technicians: 10th percentile $22.44, 25th percentile $27.11, 75th percentile $44.27, 90th percentile $51.23. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Calibration Technologists and Technicians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Calibration Technologists and Technicians jobs: Texas 5,020; California 1,250; Indiana 810; New York 800; Ohio 740. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Calibration Technologists and Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $107,220; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $101,840; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $99,660; Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $99,400; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $86,280; Baton Rouge, LA $80,670; Columbus, OH $79,950; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $78,610. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Calibration Technologists and Technicians jobs: Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 1,930 (median $78,610); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 890 (median $64,150); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 630 (median $71,950); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 430 (median $71,640); San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR 430 (median $38,490); Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN 380 (median $61,990). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certification, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 17-3028.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Calibration Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Calibration Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of calibration technologists and technicians in 2025: Manufacturing 35%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: 1.2% of Calibration Technologists and Technicians were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Calibration Technologists and Technicians: 3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.