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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.
The Daily Work of Semiconductor Processing Technicians Perform?
The day-to-day responsibilities of semiconductor processing technicians span:
- 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
Effective semiconductor processing technicians combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The competencies that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Related 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
Employment and Demand
There are roughly 754,233 semiconductor processing technicians working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +7.8% over the projection horizon.
Semiconductor Processing Technicians Pay
| 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 |
Compensation varies 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 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Compensation for semiconductor processing technicians differ across the country. The following regions pay the most:
| 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 |
Top Metro Areas
| 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 |
Top Industries Employing Semiconductor Processing Technicians
The bulk of semiconductor processing technicians are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 31,480 | $51,420 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 360 | $63,790 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
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)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The on-the-job environment of semiconductor processing technicians is shaped by 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
How to Become Semiconductor Processing Technicians
Typical semiconductor processing technicians positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), indicating 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
Future semiconductor processing technicians commonly pursue programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
1 programs across 1 majors
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
1 programs across 1 majors
Sources
This profile draws on 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).
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