How to become a Semiconductor Processing Technician

Official title: Semiconductor Processing Technicians

Also called: 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), Wafer Fabrication Operator, Wafer Technician (Wafer Tech)

Perform any or all of the following functions in the manufacture of electronic semiconductors: load semiconductor material into furnace; saw formed ingots into segments; load individual segment into crystal growing chamber and monitor controls; locate crystal axis in ingot using x-ray equipment and saw ingots into wafers; and clean, polish, and load wafers into series of special purpose furnaces, chemical baths, and equipment used to form circuitry and change conductive properties.

Main tasks

• Inspect materials, components, or products for surface defects and measure circuitry, using electronic test equipment, precision measuring instruments, microscope, and standard procedures.
• Study work orders, instructions, formulas, and processing charts to determine specifications and sequence of operations.
• Clean semiconductor wafers using cleaning equipment, such as chemical baths, automatic wafer cleaners, or blow-off wands.
• Maintain processing, production, and inspection information and reports.
• Place semiconductor wafers in processing containers or equipment holders, using vacuum wand or tweezers.
• Load and unload equipment chambers and transport finished product to storage or to area for further processing.
• Manipulate valves, switches, and buttons, or key commands into control panels to start semiconductor processing cycles.
• Inspect equipment for leaks, diagnose malfunctions, and request repairs.

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.

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Semiconductor Processing Technician (Nof).

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $51,430 a year The middle half earn $45,640 to $65,010.
• About 31,200 people work in this job now, and about 33,800 are projected by 2035. (+8.2%)
• People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Related jobs

• Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
• Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
• Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Cutters and Trimmers, Hand

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Questions people ask

How do I 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.

How much does a Semiconductor Processing Technician earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $51,430 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $45,640 to $65,010.

Is a Semiconductor Processing Technician a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 8% by 2035, from about 31,200 to about 33,800 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Semiconductor Processing Technician?

Usually not. Only 10% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Semiconductor Processing Technician (Nof).

Will AI change the work of a Semiconductor Processing Technician?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

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.