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Calibration Technologists and Technicians: Career Overview
Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. Determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices. May perform preventive maintenance on equipment. May perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems.
What Do Calibration Technologists and Technicians Take On?
The core tasks performed by calibration technologists and technicians include:
- Analyze test data to identify defects or determine calibration requirements.
- Attend conferences, workshops, or other training sessions to learn about new tools or methods.
- Calibrate devices by comparing measurements of pressure, temperature, humidity, or other environmental conditions to known standards.
- Conduct calibration tests to determine performance or reliability of mechanical, structural, or electromechanical equipment.
- Develop new calibration methods or techniques based on measurement science, analyses, or calibration requirements.
- Disassemble and reassemble equipment for inspection.
- Draw plans for developing jigs, fixtures, instruments, or other devices.
- Maintain or repair measurement devices or equipment used for calibration testing.
Other Calibration Technologists and Technicians Job Titles
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Calibration Coordinator
- Calibration Engineer
- Calibration Specialist
- Calibration Technician
- Calibration Technologist
- Certified Calibration Technician
- Diagnostic Technician (Diagnostic Tech)
- Electromechanical Equipment Tester
How Many Calibration Technologists and Technicians Are There?
There are roughly 56,396 calibration technologists and technicians working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +14.3% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Calibration Technologists and Technicians
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $92,586 |
| Hourly median | $44.51 |
| 10th percentile | $52,569 |
| 25th percentile | $72,578 |
| 75th percentile | $112,595 |
| 90th percentile | $132,603 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
Calibration Technologists and Technicians Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $94,650 |
| Washington | $87,550 |
| Arizona | $82,890 |
| Oregon | $77,140 |
| Rhode Island | $76,740 |
| New Mexico | $71,760 |
| Virginia | $70,730 |
| Michigan | $70,140 |
| California | $69,840 |
| Illinois | $68,160 |
| Vermont | $67,490 |
| Tennessee | $66,390 |
| Utah | $65,920 |
| New Hampshire | $64,800 |
| Georgia | $64,550 |
| Connecticut | $64,480 |
| Indiana | $64,270 |
| Texas | $64,270 |
| Idaho | $63,590 |
| Mississippi | $63,190 |
| Arkansas | $63,080 |
| North Carolina | $62,910 |
| Massachusetts | $62,750 |
| Ohio | $62,610 |
| South Carolina | $62,470 |
| Florida | $61,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,680 |
| Colorado | $60,480 |
| Nevada | $60,430 |
| New York | $59,740 |
| Oklahoma | $59,630 |
| Nebraska | $59,520 |
| Maryland | $58,130 |
| Minnesota | $57,660 |
| Missouri | $55,040 |
| Kentucky | $54,090 |
| Wisconsin | $46,830 |
| Alabama | $40,310 |
| Puerto Rico | $40,150 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Earnings for calibration technologists and technicians shift depending on where you work. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $70,405 | 12.1% | 0.75 |
| Southwest | $66,326 | 28.3% | 2.47 |
| Middle Atlantic | $65,219 | 13.6% | 1.04 |
| New England | $64,512 | 4.5% | 1.59 |
| Great Lakes | $64,440 | 11.6% | 1.02 |
| Rocky Mountains | $60,940 | 1.8% | 0.73 |
| Plains States | $57,667 | 4.6% | 1.32 |
| Southeast | $51,741 | 21.0% | 1.23 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $106,120 | 220 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | ME | $104,480 | |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $86,010 | 240 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | NC | $84,130 | 70 |
| Tucson, AZ | AZ | $82,890 | 110 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | TX | $81,670 | 80 |
| Richmond, VA | VA | $80,990 | 90 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | TX | $79,480 | 70 |
Which Industries Hire Calibration Technologists and Technicians
The largest employers of calibration technologists and technicians are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 5,260 | $66,390 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4,570 | $59,220 |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,520 | $63,420 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1,030 | $66,270 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 730 | $83,230 |
| Construction | 620 | $78,430 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 520 | $81,000 |
| Utilities | 230 | $94,250 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tech Stack
- Operating system software: Apple macOS (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Bentley MicroStation (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Dassault Systemes SolidWorks (hot technology)
- Operating system software: Linux (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Project management software: Microsoft Project (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
How to Become Calibration Technologists and Technicians
This career aligns with Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer (Supplemental)
- Validation Engineers (Supplemental)
- Mechanical Engineers (Supplemental)
- Mechatronics Engineers (Supplemental)
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians (Primary-Short)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians (Primary-Short)
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Robotics Technicians (Primary-Short)
Where to Study
Aspiring calibration technologists and technicians commonly pursue programs in:
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
3 programs across 2 majors
References
Data on this page comes 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: 17-3028.00 (Calibration Technologists and Technicians).
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