Integrated Circuit Design
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Types of Degrees Integrated Circuit Design Majors Are Earning
People majoring in Integrated Circuit Design may pursue degrees at several award levels.
| Award Level | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree | 5 |
| Master’s Degree | 5 |
What Integrated Circuit Design Majors Need to Know
Programs in Integrated Circuit Design develop a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Integrated Circuit Design graduates commonly enter.
Knowledge Areas
Coursework in Integrated Circuit Design emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
- Engineering and Technology — Importance 4.3 / 5; level 5.2 / 7.
- Computers and Electronics — Importance 4.3 / 5; level 5.3 / 7.
- Design — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 5.2 / 7.
- English Language — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.0 / 7.
- Mathematics — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 4.4 / 7.
Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*
Skills
The skill set developed in a Integrated Circuit Design program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
- Reading Comprehension — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
- Critical Thinking — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.7 / 7.
- Active Listening — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
- Complex Problem Solving — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
- Writing — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.
Abilities
Innate abilities most relevant to Integrated Circuit Design careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:
- Written Comprehension — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
- Near Vision — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
- Oral Comprehension — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
- Deductive Reasoning — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
- Inductive Reasoning — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
Common Job Activities
Day-to-day, Integrated Circuit Design graduates report doing:
| Activity | Frequency / Importance |
|---|---|
| Working with Computers | 4.6 / 7 |
| Getting Information | 4.4 / 7 |
| Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | 4.2 / 7 |
| Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment | 4.1 / 7 |
| Making Decisions and Solving Problems | 4.0 / 7 |
| Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards | 4.0 / 7 |
| Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | 4.0 / 7 |
| Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | 3.9 / 7 |
| Documenting/Recording Information | 3.8 / 7 |
| Processing Information | 3.8 / 7 |
Technology Skills Used on the Job
Most frequently-cited tools used by Integrated Circuit Design professionals:
| Tool / Software | Category | In-Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system software | Operating system software | — |
| MathWorks Simulink | Analytical or scientific software | — |
| Cadence PSpice | Analytical or scientific software | — |
| UNIX | Operating system software | — |
| Autodesk Revit | Computer aided design CAD software | ✓ |
| C++ | Object or component oriented development software | — |
| Python | Object or component oriented development software | — |
| Programmable logic controller PLC software | Industrial control software | — |
| Dassault Systemes SolidWorks | Computer aided design CAD software | — |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | ✓ |
| Mentor Graphics PADS | Computer aided design CAD software | — |
| Bentley MicroStation | Computer aided design CAD software | ✓ |
Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*
Sample Job Titles
Real job postings for Integrated Circuit Design graduates include:
- Electrical Design Technician
- Layout Designer
- Circuit Designer
- I and C Technician (Instrument and Controls Technician)
- Electrical Mechanical Technician
- Computer Engineering Technician
- Electrical Maintenance Technician (Electrical Maintenance Tech)
- Analysis Specialist
- Engineering Assistant
- Calibration Laboratory Technician
- Utilities Instrument Technician
- Product and Device Technologist
- Instrument Technician
- Electrical Instrument Repairer
- Semiconductor Development Technician
Education Typically Required
Across the occupations open to Integrated Circuit Design graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:
| Education Level | Share of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 40.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 23.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 21.1% |
| Some college courses | 6.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 6.1% |
| Master’s degree | 2.5% |
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Who Is Earning a Degree in Integrated Circuit Design?
Gender Distribution
Racial-Ethnic Diversity
At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Integrated Circuit Design graduates is as follows:
| Race / Ethnicity | Graduates | Share |
|---|---|---|
| White | 4 | 40.0% |
| Asian | 3 | 30.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 3 | 30.0% |
See minority definition below.
How Much Do Integrated Circuit Design Graduates Earn?
Federal data tracks median earnings of Integrated Circuit Design graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $62,062 |
| 4 years | $60,768 |
| 5 years | $67,536 |
By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $67,536 — roughly 9% above the 1-year mark.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Is a Degree in Integrated Circuit Design Worth It?
Looking purely at the federal earnings tracker, Integrated Circuit Design graduates earn a median of $60,768 four years after completion — roughly 60% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).
ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.
Related Programs
You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:
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References
The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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