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Manufacturing-related workers (except painters, paint and signboard production)

How to become a 3D Printing Technician

Operates 3D printers from digital data in manufacturing and similar settings to make prototypes and products from metal, plastic and other materials.

How to become one

No education or qualifications are required. A related qualification is the 3D printer utilisation skills test. Few new graduates aim to become 3D printing technicians from the start; usually they are placed in a manufacturing department as part of normal staff placement and gain experience according to their aptitude. People rarely handle only 3D printers, and many work with them as one part of their job. It is a fairly versatile manufacturing skill, so experience is an advantage when changing jobs or being hired mid-career. Because it is a technology used in manufacturing, knowledge and experience of traditional methods such as machining make it easier to handle 3D printers on the job. Broadly, knowing the features of machining, die moulding and additive manufacturing (3D printing technology) helps in daily work. Among 3D printers, material jetting and material extrusion types are not especially hard to operate, and industrial designers often use 3D printers themselves. You need to understand building methods and processes and how processes differ by material, and also learn about safety. Some materials and cleaning agents often used in 3D printing are flammable solvents, carry a risk of dust explosion, or are metals that ignite easily, so safety awareness and knowledge are essential. Whether you studied humanities or science at school does not matter, but the job suits people who like working with machines and are keen on and interested in learning the advanced 3D printing technology that improves every year. While gaining experience on the job, you learn to use data editing software to prepare designs for printed objects. As you develop an eye for the quality of finished pieces, the quality of your products improves.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a 3D Printing Technician?

No education or qualifications are required. A related qualification is the 3D printer utilisation skills test. Few new graduates aim to become 3D printing technicians from the start; usually they are placed in a manufacturing department as part of normal staff placement and gain experience according to their aptitude. People rarely handle only 3D printers, and many work with them as one part of their job. It is a fairly versatile manufacturing skill, so experience is an advantage when changing jobs or being hired mid-career. Because it is a technology used in manufacturing, knowledge and experience of traditional methods such as machining make it easier to handle 3D printers on the job. Broadly, knowing the features of machining, die moulding and additive manufacturing (3D printing technology) helps in daily work. Among 3D printers, material jetting and material extrusion types are not especially hard to operate, and industrial designers often use 3D printers themselves. You need to understand building methods and processes and how processes differ by material, and also learn about safety. Some materials and cleaning agents often used in 3D printing are flammable solvents, carry a risk of dust explosion, or are metals that ignite easily, so safety awareness and knowledge are essential. Whether you studied humanities or science at school does not matter, but the job suits people who like working with machines and are keen on and interested in learning the advanced 3D printing technology that improves every year. While gaining experience on the job, you learn to use data editing software to prepare designs for printed objects. As you develop an eye for the quality of finished pieces, the quality of your products improves.

How much does a 3D Printing Technician earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥4,708,500 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Drafting and other production-related workers, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become a 3D Printing Technician?

Not always. In this job's census occupation group, 50% of workers are university graduates.

Will AI change the work of a 3D Printing Technician?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026