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Semiconductor Processing Technicians in Washington

Considering working as a Semiconductor Processing Technicians in Washington? Below are the key facts. 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.

What do Semiconductor Processing Technicians Make in Washington?

The semiconductor processing technicians working in Washington, the typical annual salary is $50,190 per year (or roughly $24.13/hour).Annual wages span from $48,820 at the 10th percentile to $77,640 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$48,820	$23.47
25th percentile	$49,430	$23.76
Median (50th)	$50,190	$24.13
75th percentile	$60,780	$29.22
90th percentile	$77,640	$37.33

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, semiconductor processing technicians earn a median of $30,069 per year ($14.46/hour), above the Washington median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 754,233 semiconductor processing technicians across the United States.

Top States for Semiconductor Processing Technicians Employment

These states have the highest employment of semiconductor processing technicians work.

State	Number Employed
Texas	7,390
Oregon	7,080
Arizona	3,730
California	2,510
New York	1,730
Massachusetts	1,330
Colorado	1,110
Michigan	480
Minnesota	340
Maine	320
Pennsylvania	300
Virginia	200
New Hampshire	170
Florida	170
Utah	140
Maryland	130
North Carolina	100
Arkansas	70

Highest-Paying States for Semiconductor Processing Technicians

Where semiconductor processing technicians earn the most: semiconductor processing technicians.

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

Skills

Top semiconductor processing technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for semiconductor processing technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• 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.
• Set, adjust, and readjust computerized or mechanical equipment controls to regulate power level, temperature, vacuum, and rotation speed of furnace, according to crystal growing specifications.
• Etch, lap, polish, or grind wafers or ingots to form circuitry and change conductive properties, using etching, lapping, polishing, or grinding equipment.
• Load semiconductor material into furnace.
• Monitor operation and adjust controls of processing machines and equipment to produce compositions with specific electronic properties, using computer terminals.

Work Activities

• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Performing General Physical Activities
• Getting Information
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Working with Computers
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Training and Teaching Others

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Programs that train for this career include:

• Electronics Maintenance & Repair
• Industrial Production Technology

Related Careers

Careers similar to semiconductor processing technicians include:

• Microsystems Engineers
• Calibration Technologists and Technicians
• Photonics Technicians
• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
• Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
• Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers

Also Known As

Charge Preparation Technician, Chemical Etch Operator, Circuit Recorder, Crystal Cutter, Crystal Finisher, Crystal Grower, Crystal Growing Technician, Crystal Lapper, Crystal Machining Coordinator, Crystal Mounter, Crystal Slicer, Device Processing Engineer, Die Attacher, Diffusion Furnace Operator, Diffusion Operator.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-9141.00