Production
Semiconductor processing technician
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 pay
$51,430
Growth to 2035
+8%
faster than average
Openings a year
3,400
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Semiconductor processing technician
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to semiconductor processing technician
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Semiconductor processing technician: 22% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Inspect materials, components, or products for surface defects and measure circuitry, using electronic test equipment, precision measuring instruments, microscope, and standard procedures.
- Study work orders, instructions, formulas, and processing charts to determine specifications and sequence of operations.
- Clean semiconductor wafers using cleaning equipment, such as chemical baths, automatic wafer cleaners, or blow-off wands.
- Maintain processing, production, and inspection information and reports.
- Place semiconductor wafers in processing containers or equipment holders, using vacuum wand or tweezers.
- Load and unload equipment chambers and transport finished product to storage or to area for further processing.
- Manipulate valves, switches, and buttons, or key commands into control panels to start semiconductor processing cycles.
- Inspect equipment for leaks, diagnose malfunctions, and request repairs.
Also called: Device Processing Engineer · Diffusion Operator · Manufacture Specialist · Manufacturing Technician (Manufacturing Tech) · Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition Engineer (MOCVD Engineer) · Probe Operator · Process Technician (Process Tech) · Semiconductor Laboratory Technician (Semiconductor Lab Tech)
Outlook and AI
Semiconductor processing technicians held 31,200 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 33,800 by 2035 (+8%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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