Skilled Trades
Semiconductor Processing Technicians
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.
Median salary
$51,180
Typical range
$36k – $87k
Job outlook
+11% (faster than average)
AI exposure
Plan a path to Semiconductor Processing Technicians
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Semiconductor Processing Technicians
Entry / Junior
$35,980
~2 yrs to advance
Semiconductor Processing Technicians
Established
$51,180
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Semiconductor Processing Technicians
Senior
$69,185
Key skills
A typical day
- •Manipulate valves, switches, and buttons, or key commands into control panels to start semiconductor processing cycles.
- •Maintain processing, production, and inspection information and reports.
- •Inspect materials, components, or products for surface defects and measure circuitry, using electronic test equipment, precision measuring instruments, microscope, and standard procedures.
- •Clean semiconductor wafers using cleaning equipment, such as chemical baths, automatic wafer cleaners, or blow-off wands.
- •Study work orders, instructions, formulas, and processing charts to determine specifications and sequence of operations.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.