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Semiconductor processing technicians: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$51,430median pay per year, or $24.73 an hour, May 2025[2]
  1. $37,690lowest 10% earn less
  2. $45,64025th percentile
  3. $51,430median
  4. $65,01075th percentile
  5. $82,540top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[6]

Semiconductor processing technicians, a job whose workers report titles such as manufacturing technician[1], earned a median of $51,430 a year in May 2025[2]. BLS projects jobs to grow 8.2% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+8.2%[3]
Openings per year
3,400[7]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[8]

How much do manufacturing technicians in semiconductors make?

The median wage was $51,430 a year, or $24.73 an hour[2]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was higher at $60,180 a year, or $28.93 an hour[9]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[6], so the typical pay here is close to the national middle.

The spread is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $37,690, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $82,540[5]. The 25th percentile was $45,640 and the 75th was $65,010[5]. Hourly, the 10th percentile was $18.12 and the 90th was $39.68[10]. BLS publishes percentile boundaries and not a starting salary[11].

The figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[12]. About 31,460 people held these jobs in May 2025[13].

Pay by state and city

Pay differs a lot by place. Arizona had the highest published state median at $78,940, followed by Oregon at $63,330 and Florida at $62,330[14]. Nevada had the lowest at $37,290, just under Texas at $38,440[14].

Oregon had the most jobs at 6,620, then Texas at 6,110 and California at 4,650[15]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ had the highest median at $78,940, and Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA was next at $62,810[16]. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro had the most jobs of any metro area at 7,290[17].

Show median pay in 20 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Arizona[14]$78,9402,270
Oregon$63,3306,620
Florida$62,330190
Washington$58,710990
Minnesota$57,780n/a
North Carolina$56,16060
Colorado$52,360790
Massachusetts$51,4101,190
New York$49,4001,750
Georgia$48,580n/a
California$48,0304,650
New Hampshire$47,710130
Maryland$47,610120
Maine$47,270320
Connecticut$47,00050
Pennsylvania$46,430340
Utah$40,760120
Arkansas$40,61040
Texas$38,4406,110
Nevada$37,290n/a

How to become a semiconductor processing technician

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education, with no related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[8].

In an O*NET survey of 26 workers, 84% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required and 12% said less than a high school diploma[23]. This is a small survey.

Useful traits include communication, computer skills, critical thinking, attention to detail and dexterity[24][25][26][27][28].

What semiconductor processing technicians do

These technicians help make electronic semiconductors, from wafers to finished circuitry[29]. Typical tasks, based on O*NET, include:

Where they work

These technicians work in cleanrooms that are filtered to keep out impurities, and they wear special lightweight garments over their clothes[31]. Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing was the largest employer group at 89%[32].

Full-time work is the norm. Shift work is common and can include early mornings, nights and weekends, because plants run around the clock[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 8.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 31,200 jobs to 33,800, a gain of 2,600[3]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[4]. These counts include self-employed workers, while the May 2025 count covers wage and salary jobs only[13][3].

About 3,400 openings a year are projected[7]. Openings include jobs that come up when people retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[7]. Each year 3.5% of workers leave the labor force and 6.3% move to a different occupation[34].

Is it a good fit?

The facts describe a job with a high school entry point and training of 1 month to 1 year on the job[8][22]. Median pay is close to the all-occupations median, with a wide spread and large differences between states[2][6][14]. Projected growth is faster than the all-occupations rate[3][4]. Cleanroom work and shift schedules are part of the job[31][33], so it may suit people who like precise, detail-focused work[27].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a semiconductor processing technician make an hour?
The median was $24.73 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $28.93[2][9]. The 10th percentile was $18.12 and the 90th was $39.68[10].
How long does it take to become a semiconductor processing technician?
On-the-job training typically lasts from 1 month to 1 year[22]. Education programs may reduce it[22].
What degree do you need to be a semiconductor processing technician?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent[8]. Some people complete a certificate or associate degree[19].
Which state pays semiconductor processing technicians the most?
Arizona had the highest published median at $78,940, then Oregon at $63,330[14].
Is semiconductor processing in demand?
BLS projects 8.2% growth from 2025 to 2035 against 3.5% for all occupations[3][4].

Facts and sources

  1. O*NET 51-9141.00 sample job titles reported by workers: 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). O*NET OnLine
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Semiconductor Processing Technicians in the US was $51,430 per year and $24.73 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Semiconductor Processing Technicians is projected to grow 8.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 31,200 to 33,800 jobs (a change of +2,600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Semiconductor Processing Technicians: 10th percentile $37,690, 25th percentile $45,640, 75th percentile $65,010, 90th percentile $82,540. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 3,400 openings for Semiconductor Processing 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
  8. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Semiconductor Processing Technicians: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Semiconductor Processing Technicians was $60,180 per year and $28.93 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Semiconductor Processing Technicians: 10th percentile $18.12, 25th percentile $21.94, 75th percentile $31.25, 90th percentile $39.68. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 31,460 people were employed as Semiconductor Processing Technicians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. Median annual wage for Semiconductor Processing Technicians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Semiconductor Processing Technicians jobs: Oregon 6,620; Texas 6,110; California 4,650; Arizona 2,270; New York 1,750. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Semiconductor Processing Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $78,940; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $62,810; Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL $62,320; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $59,110; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $50,820; Portland-South Portland, ME $47,270; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $47,200; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $46,340. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Semiconductor Processing Technicians jobs: Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 7,290 (median $62,810); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 3,190 (median $38,440); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 2,260 (median $78,940); San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 2,130 (median $50,820); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,080 (median $40,770); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 680 (median $46,340). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 51-9141.00 survey of workers (26 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 84%, Less than a High School Diploma 12% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. O*NET description of Semiconductor Processing Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET task list for Semiconductor Processing Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of semiconductor processing technicians in 2025: Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing 89%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Semiconductor Processing Technicians: 3.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

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.