Semiconductor Processing Technicians: Job Description
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.
Featured schools near , edit
What Do Semiconductor Processing Technicians Do?
The day-to-day responsibilities of semiconductor processing technicians cover:
- 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.
- Load and unload equipment chambers and transport finished product to storage or to area for further processing.
- Clean and maintain equipment, including replacing etching and rinsing solutions and cleaning bath containers and work area.
- Place semiconductor wafers in processing containers or equipment holders, using vacuum wand or tweezers.
What Semiconductor Processing Technicians Need to Know
Top semiconductor processing technicians draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
These are the skills that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Other Semiconductor Processing Technicians Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Charge Preparation Technician
- Chemical Etch Operator
- Circuit Recorder
- Crystal Cutter
- Crystal Finisher
- Crystal Grower
- Crystal Growing Technician
- Crystal Lapper
How Many Semiconductor Processing Technicians Are There?
The U.S. employs around 754,233 semiconductor processing technicians working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +7.8% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Semiconductor Processing Technicians Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $30,069 |
| Hourly median | $14.46 |
| 10th percentile | $21,070 |
| 25th percentile | $25,570 |
| 75th percentile | $34,568 |
| 90th percentile | $39,067 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $78,050 |
| Oregon | $61,470 |
| Michigan | $53,570 |
| Colorado | $50,710 |
| Washington | $50,190 |
| Massachusetts | $49,800 |
| New York | $49,690 |
| Maryland | $49,320 |
| California | $49,270 |
| New Hampshire | $47,800 |
| North Carolina | $47,320 |
| Minnesota | $46,650 |
| Maine | $45,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,480 |
| Florida | $42,990 |
| Utah | $39,090 |
| Texas | $37,200 |
| Arkansas | $36,710 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Pay for semiconductor processing technicians differ across the country. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $58,276 | 35.1% | 12.93 |
| Great Lakes | $53,570 | 1.8% | 0.53 |
| Southwest | $50,902 | 40.7% | 3.58 |
| Rocky Mountains | $49,408 | 4.6% | 1.68 |
| New England | $48,909 | 6.7% | 1.82 |
| Middle Atlantic | $48,805 | 7.9% | 0.74 |
| Plains States | $46,650 | 1.2% | 0.56 |
| Southeast | $27,055 | 2.0% | 0.16 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Semiconductor Processing Technicians
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | AZ | $78,050 | 3,710 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | OR | $61,410 | 7,820 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $60,450 | 90 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | NH | $58,900 | 80 |
| Boulder, CO | CO | $57,630 | 70 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | MA | $51,420 | 610 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $49,270 | 1,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $48,950 | 250 |
Which Industries Hire Semiconductor Processing Technicians
The largest employers of semiconductor processing technicians are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 31,480 | $51,420 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 360 | $63,790 |
Semiconductor Processing Technicians work in the following industries:
Tools and Technology
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Object or component oriented development software: Python (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
Work Environment
The work environment for semiconductor processing technicians tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
- Exposed to Contaminants
Getting Started in This Career
Typical semiconductor processing technicians positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Microsystems Engineers (Primary-Long)
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians (Supplemental)
- Photonics Technicians (Supplemental)
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers (Supplemental)
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers (Primary-Short)
- Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers (Primary-Long)
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Primary-Short)
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Supplemental)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Aspiring semiconductor processing technicians often complete programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
1 programs across 1 majors
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
1 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 51-9141.00 (Semiconductor Processing Technicians).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.