Maintains and repairs the complex machines in a chip fab, such as etchers, deposition tools and scanners, to keep wafer production running. BLS does not publish separate figures for electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment; it counts them within electrical and electronics repairer, commercial and industrial equipment (SOC 49-2094), whose median pay is $74,090 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
- SOC 49-2094
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Semiconductor Equipment Technician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $74,090a year, or $35.62/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $47KTop 10% $106K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +0.3%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+0.3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +0.3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4,70065,500 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202565.5K
- Projected 203565.7K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 65.5K Projected 2035 65.7K - Typical education
- Certificateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school22%
- Certificate32.3%
- Associate's45.7%
Highest education held by electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment Segment Value High school 22% Certificate 32.3% Associate's 45.7%
Also advertised as: Fab Equipment Technician, Semiconductor Equipment Maintenance Technician, Wafer Fab Equipment Technician, Fab Technician, Equipment Maintenance Technician (Semiconductor).
Pay
How much do Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment make?
Every semiconductor equipment technician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$74,090
Middle half earn $60,040 to $88,710
- 10th
- $46,840
- 25th
- $60,040
- 75th
- $88,710
- 90th
- $105,590
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $46,840 |
| 25th | $60,040 |
| Median | $74,090 |
| 75th | $88,710 |
| 90th | $105,590 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $74,090
- Median hourly wage
- $35.62/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $75,570
- People employed
- 65,010
Versus all US occupations
At $74,090, Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment earn 45% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $23,110 a year.
Versus installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
Inside the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair group, where the middle occupation pays $61,150, this is 21% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $105,590 or more while the bottom 10% earn $46,840, a gap of 2.3×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 48% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($99,200), but once local prices are taken into account North Dakota leads at $110,950 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment 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 | $99,200 | $92,699 | 1,660 |
| 2North Dakota | $98,700 | $110,950 | 520 |
| 3Alaska | $96,390 | $94,169 | 160 |
| 4Oregon | $91,910 | $88,921 | 840 |
| 5California | $87,080 | $78,649 | 5,830 |
| 6Wyoming | $86,880 | $93,731 | 100 |
| 7Delaware | $86,290 | $86,456 | 160 |
| 8Hawaii | $85,420 | $77,689 | 400 |
| 9Nevada | $82,680 | $82,697 | 710 |
| 10Maine | $81,180 | $83,648 | 410 |
Job outlook
Is Semiconductor Equipment Technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +0.3% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment | +0.3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment to change 0.3% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 4,700 openings are projected each year, 7.2% of the 65,500 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Semiconductor Equipment Technician
Many technicians have an associate's degree or certificate in electronics, mechatronics or semiconductor technology, and military electronics experience is valued. Community colleges near fabs in Arizona, Oregon, Texas, Ohio and New York have created semiconductor technician programs, some with paid apprenticeships.
Employers train new hires on specific tools. SEMI offers workforce programs and certifications, and the federal CHIPS program funds technician training tied to new fabs. Experienced technicians can move into equipment engineering or vendor field service. Comfort with schematics, multimeters and troubleshooting procedures matters more than a specific degree.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Postsecondary nondegree award
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment.
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree45.7%
- Post-Secondary Certificate32.3%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)22%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 45.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 32.3% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 22% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Semiconductor Equipment Technician do?
Semiconductor equipment technicians keep the tools in a chip fab working. These machines combine vacuum systems, robotics, lasers, radio frequency power, gas delivery and precise electronics. Technicians perform scheduled maintenance, replace worn parts, calibrate systems and bring tools back online after repairs.
When a tool goes down, they troubleshoot alarms and test signals to find the fault, often working with equipment engineers and vendor field service engineers. Because downtime is costly, they work fast but follow strict cleanroom, chemical and electrical safety procedures. Experienced technicians also train newer staff and help improve maintenance procedures.
Day-to-day tasks
- Perform preventive maintenance on fab tools
- Troubleshoot tool alarms and failures
- Replace and calibrate parts and subsystems
- Test vacuum, gas and radio frequency systems
- Return repaired tools to production after qualification
- Document repairs in maintenance systems
- Follow cleanroom and hazardous materials procedures
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Technicians work in cleanrooms wearing full gowns, gloves and masks, often on twelve-hour rotating shifts covering nights and weekends. Work involves standing, lifting parts, working inside tools and handling hazardous gases and chemicals under strict controls. Fabs are large, secure and climate-controlled, and technicians may be called in for urgent repairs when a critical tool goes down.
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 dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing 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 lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
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.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Active Listening3.1
- Speaking3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Writing3.0
- Active Learning3.0
- Learning Strategies2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Writing | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.9
- Repairing3.9
- Equipment Maintenance3.8
- Troubleshooting3.8
- Quality Control Analysis3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Equipment Selection3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.9 |
| Repairing | 3.9 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.8 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.8 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Equipment Selection | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Facilities management software
- Industrial control software
- Program testing 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 Semiconductor Equipment Technician?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RIC) built on O*NET's Electrical and Electronics Repairer, Commercial and Industrial Equipment profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Semiconductor Equipment Technician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
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.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional5.4
- Investigative4.6
- Enterprising1.4
- Artistic1.0
- Social1.0
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 Semiconductor Equipment Technician
O*NET related occupations
- 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
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician
$78,190median a year
Most earn $50K to $116K
+2.4%Associate's - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Electrical and Electronics Installer and Repairer, Transportation Equipment
$84,890median a year
Most earn $51K to $117K
+5.4%Certificate - Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician
$82,890median a year
Most earn $59K to $125K
+11.9%Associate's
More installation, maintenance, and repair careers
Median annual pay, with electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment highlighted
- Aircraft Mechanic$79,870
- Semiconductor Equipment Technician$74,090
- Millwright$65,700
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic$64,520
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist$61,770
- Medical Equipment Repairer$61,660
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer$61,010
- Automotive Body and Related Repairer$54,890
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic$50,620
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 |
| Semiconductor Equipment Technician | $74,090 |
| Millwright | $65,700 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,520 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist | $61,770 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $61,660 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer | $61,010 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $54,890 |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic | $50,620 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Semiconductor Equipment Technician appears on
Questions
Semiconductor Equipment Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment. It counts them within electrical and electronics repairer, commercial and industrial equipment, whose median pay is $74,090 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $60,040 and $88,710, and the top 10% earn $105,590 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Semiconductor Equipment Technician?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 45.7% hold associate's degree or other 2-year degree.
Is Semiconductor Equipment Technician a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 0.3% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 4,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Semiconductor Equipment Technician do?
Semiconductor equipment technicians keep the tools in a chip fab working. A typical task: perform preventive maintenance on fab tools. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Office suite software, Operating system software.
Which states pay Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment the most?
The highest state medians for Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment are Washington ($99,200), North Dakota ($98,700), Alaska ($96,390) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, North Dakota moves to the top at $110,950.
What personality type suits a Semiconductor Equipment Technician?
O*NET scores Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment 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.