Occupations/51-9141.00
Semiconductor Processing Technicians
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.
Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.
AI automation risk
76%
Higher automation risk
Human characteristics
22%
Fewer uniquely human demands
Task orientation
71%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Clean semiconductor wafers using cleaning equipment, such as chemical baths, automatic wafer cleaners, or blow-off wands.
- Mostly routine
Maintain processing, production, and inspection information and reports.
- Mostly routine
Inspect materials, components, or products for surface defects and measure circuitry, using electronic test equipment, precision measuring instruments, microscope, and standard procedures.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Manipulate valves, switches, and buttons, or key commands into control panels to start semiconductor processing cycles.
- 02Maintain processing, production, and inspection information and reports.
- 03Inspect materials, components, or products for surface defects and measure circuitry, using electronic test equipment, precision measuring instruments, microscope, and standard procedures.
- 04Clean semiconductor wafers using cleaning equipment, such as chemical baths, automatic wafer cleaners, or blow-off wands.
- 05Study work orders, instructions, formulas, and processing charts to determine specifications and sequence of operations.
- 06Load and unload equipment chambers and transport finished product to storage or to area for further processing.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.79
- Degree of automation2.83
- Time sitting2.85
- Originality (ability)2.38
- Conflict situations2.77
- Hands-on objects/tools3.90
- Outdoors / weather1.28
- Disease exposure1.00
- Decision freedom3.34
Top abilities
- Near Vision3.63
- Written Comprehension3.50
- Arm-Hand Steadiness3.50
- Oral Comprehension3.38
- Oral Expression3.25
- Inductive Reasoning3.25
- Finger Dexterity3.25
- Deductive Reasoning3.25
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.38
- Active Listening3.25
- Writing2.75
- Speaking2.88
- Mathematics1.88
- Science1.88
- Critical Thinking3.38
- Active Learning2.50
- Learning Strategies2.25
- Monitoring3.25
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 26 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ · Public | Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/Technician 15.0616 | $12,000 | 90% | 69% | 1 yr — 2 yr $67,164 Bachelor's · CIP 15.06 |
Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN · Public | Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/Technician 15.0616 | $10,000 | 53% | 83% | 1 yr $66,020 2 yr $69,338 Bachelor's · CIP 15.06 |
San Jose State University San Jose, CA · Public | Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/Technician 15.0616 | $8,200 | 77% | 71% | 1 yr $64,196 2 yr $62,489 Bachelor's · CIP 15.06 |
Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, MN · Public | Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/Technician 15.0616 | $9,700 | 71% | 62% | 1 yr $63,749 2 yr $59,824 Bachelor's · CIP 15.06 |
Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC · Public | Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/Technician 15.0616 | $2,900 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr $58,912 2 yr $53,483 Bachelor's · CIP 15.06 |
Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN · Public | Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/Technician 15.0616 | $9,900 | 77% | 58% | 1 yr $58,673 2 yr $55,512 Bachelor's · CIP 15.06 |
St Cloud State University St. Cloud, MN · Public | Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/Technician 15.0616 | $9,600 | 95% | 56% | 1 yr $56,776 2 yr $51,273 Bachelor's · CIP 15.06 |
North Dakota State University Fargo, ND · Public | Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/Technician 15.0616 | $10,900 | 96% | 68% | 1 yr $49,214 2 yr $63,005 Bachelor's · CIP 15.06 |
University of Minnesota-Rochester Rochester, MN · Public | Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/Technician 15.0616 | $14,200 | 72% | 73% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 15.06 |
Rochester Community and Technical College Rochester, MN · Public | Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/Technician 15.0616 | $6,200 | 100% | 33% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MN · Public | Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/Technician 15.0616 | $6,200 | 100% | 38% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Ridgewater College Willmar, MN · Public | Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/Technician 15.0616 | $6,100 | 100% | 36% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |