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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 (BLS)

$51,430

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$38k – $83k

Job outlook

+11% (faster than average)

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Semiconductor Processing Technicians" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Semiconductor Processing Technicians

    Entry / Junior

    $37,690

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Semiconductor Processing Technicians

    Established

    $51,430

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Semiconductor Processing Technicians

    Senior

    $66,985

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

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.