Headline risk
5%
Low RiskSemiconductor processing technicians
United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
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.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 51,180
Employment 2024
31.9K
Projected Change (2024–34)
10.9%
Openings (2024–34)
3.9K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Employment of semiconductor processing technicians is projected to grow 11 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Inspect materials, components, or products for surface defects and measure circuitry, using electronic test equipment, precision measuring instruments, microscope, and standard procedures. AI use: 0%
- 2. Place semiconductor wafers in processing containers or equipment holders, using vacuum wand or tweezers. AI use: 0%
- 3. Load and unload equipment chambers and transport finished product to storage or to area for further processing. AI use: 0%
- 4. Maintain processing, production, and inspection information and reports. AI use: 0%
- 5. Study work orders, instructions, formulas, and processing charts to determine specifications and sequence of operations. AI use: 0%
- 6. Manipulate valves, switches, and buttons, or key commands into control panels to start semiconductor processing cycles. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 33.9 · 373K employed
Under 25: 25% · 25–54: 64% · 55+: 11%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Mapping quality
major_group_fallback · employment series present
Narrative & sources
Semiconductor processing technicians perform tasks in the manufacture of electronic semiconductors, commonly known as integrated circuits or microchips, that are used in cars, smartphones, and other everyday devices.
Most semiconductor processing technicians are employed full time, primarily in manufacturing plants. They work in “cleanrooms” and must wear special garments over their clothing to keep the cleanroom free from contamination.
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.
The median annual wage for semiconductor processing technicians was $51,180 in May 2024.
Employment of semiconductor processing technicians is projected to grow 11 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Published limitations
This page shows the local country layer, not realised individual job outcomes. The global structural baseline is shared across countries; only the local demand and wage layer changes here.
Built from O*NET occupation descriptions, task statements, technology skills, work context, Job Zones, Anthropic task penetration, BLS OEWS wages, BLS projection tables, BLS ORS requirements, BLS OOH narrative content, BLS skills data, and BLS CPS occupation age tables.