The median pay for Calibration Technologists and Technicians is $67,820 a year ($32.61/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 4.8% through 2035, with about 1,500 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 17-3028
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Calibration Technologist and Technician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $67,820a year, or $32.61/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $47KTop 10% $107K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.8%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,50017,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202517K
- Projected 203517.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 17K Projected 2035 17.8K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Calibration Specialist, Calibration Technician (Calibration Tech), Gauge Specialist, Instrument and Control Technician (I and C Tech), Instrument Control Technician (Instrument Control Tech), Quality Technician (Quality Tech).
Pay
How much do Calibration Technologists and Technicians make?
Every calibration technologist and technician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$67,820
Middle half earn $56,380 to $92,080
- 10th
- $46,680
- 25th
- $56,380
- 75th
- $92,080
- 90th
- $106,550
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $46,680 |
| 25th | $56,380 |
| Median | $67,820 |
| 75th | $92,080 |
| 90th | $106,550 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $67,820
- Median hourly wage
- $32.61/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $74,170
- People employed
- 16,540
Versus all US occupations
At $67,820, Calibration Technologists and Technicians earn 33% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $16,840 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 35% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $106,550 or more while the bottom 10% earn $46,680, a gap of 2.3×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 42% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($93,880), but once local prices are taken into account Oklahoma leads at $92,119 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Calibration Technologists and Technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $93,880 | $87,728 | 270 |
| 2Oklahoma | $80,920 | $92,119 | 150 |
| 3Louisiana | $80,670 | $91,455 | 480 |
| 4California | $79,010 | $71,360 | 1,250 |
| 5Vermont | $77,950 | $79,575 | 30 |
| 6New Jersey | $77,040 | $70,806 | 390 |
| 7Massachusetts | $75,500 | $71,390 | 380 |
| 8Texas | $74,100 | $76,347 | 5,020 |
| 9Virginia | $72,730 | $71,936 | 330 |
| 10Tennessee | $71,660 | $78,002 | 130 |
Job outlook
Is Calibration Technologist and Technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +4.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | +4.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Calibration Technologists and Technicians to change 4.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,500 openings are projected each year, 8.8% of the 17,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
As automation increases the number and complexity of devices, calibration technologists and technicians will be needed to apply their knowledge of measurement science to evaluate and adjust a variety of equipment.
Getting in
How to become a Calibration Technologist and Technician
Calibration technologists and technicians typically need an associate’s degree or other postsecondary training in a technical or scientific field. Some workers enter the occupation with a high school diploma and learn their skills on the job.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
Full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entryThe work
What does a Calibration Technologist and Technician do?
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.
Calibration technologists and technicians inspect, adjust, and test measurement devices against standards, such as those used in manufacturing, healthcare, and other industries.
Day-to-day tasks
- Analyze test data to identify defects or determine calibration requirements.
- Read blueprints, schematics, diagrams, or technical orders.
- Visually inspect equipment to detect surface defects.
- Conduct calibration tests to determine performance or reliability of mechanical, structural, or electromechanical equipment.
- Write and submit reports about the results of calibration tests.
- Order replacement parts for malfunctioning equipment.
- Plan sequences of calibration tests according to equipment specifications and scientific principles.
- Maintain or repair measurement devices or equipment used for calibration testing.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most calibration technologists and technicians work full time. Some work shifts that may include early mornings, nights, or weekends.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where calibration technologists and technicians work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Manufacturing35%
- Testing laboratories and services16%
- Electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance8%
- Merchant wholesalers, durable goods7%
- Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 35% |
| Testing laboratories and services | 16% |
| Electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance | 8% |
| Merchant wholesalers, durable goods | 7% |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Development environment software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Calibration Technologist and Technician?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Calibration Technologist and Technician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.3
- Conventional5.6
- Investigative4.1
- Social1.6
- Artistic1.1
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Calibration Technologist and Technician
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician
$82,890median a year
Most earn $59K to $125K
+11.9%Associate's - Architecture and Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician
$78,190median a year
Most earn $50K to $116K
+2.4%Associate's - Architecture and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician
$74,510median a year
Most earn $48K to $106K
+1.3%Associate's - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Electrical and Electronics Repairer, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
$74,090median a year
Most earn $47K to $106K
+0.3%Certificate - Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with calibration technologists and technicians highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
- Calibration Technologist and Technician$67,820
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
| Calibration Technologist and Technician | $67,820 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Calibration Technologist and Technician appears on
Questions
Calibration Technologist and Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Calibration Technologists and Technicians make?
Calibration Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $67,820 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 33% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $32.61/hr. The middle half earn between $56,380 and $92,080. The top 10% earn $106,550 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Calibration Technologist and Technician?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Calibration Technologists and Technicians.
Is Calibration Technologist and Technician a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4.8% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Calibration Technologist and Technician do?
Calibration technologists and technicians inspect, adjust, and test measurement devices against standards, such as those used in manufacturing, healthcare, and other industries. A core O*NET task: analyze test data to identify defects or determine calibration requirements. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Calibration Technologists and Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Calibration Technologists and Technicians are Washington ($93,880), Oklahoma ($80,920), Louisiana ($80,670) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Oklahoma moves to the top at $92,119.
What personality type suits a Calibration Technologist and Technician?
O*NET scores Calibration Technologists and Technicians highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.