Semiconductor Processing Technicians
Production
Wafers move through a set sequence of furnaces, chemical baths, and other process tools that form circuitry and change how the material conducts. Work orders and process charts are studied first; each cycle is started from a control panel, and chambers are loaded or unloaded, often by placing wafers with a vacuum wand or tweezers. Wafers are cleaned in baths or with blow-off wands, and etching and rinse solutions are replaced. Inspection uses microscopes, electronic testers, and precision gauges for surface defects and circuit measurements, with processing notes written up. Suits those who like exact sequences, delicate handling of small parts, and checking specs before a cycle starts.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$51'430
Median Wage Market Position
$51'430
What you might do
- Start wafer processing cycles from the control panel
- Place wafers in holders with a vacuum wand
- Clean wafers in chemical baths or wafer washers
- Inspect wafers for surface defects and measure circuitry
- Study work orders and charts for the process sequence
- Record processing data and move lots to storage
Skills that matter
- Watching furnace and chamber cycles
- Reading formulas and processing charts
- Inspecting wafers for surface defects
- Logging processing and inspection data
- Hearing spoken wafer-run instructions
- Handling wafers with wands or tweezers
AI & the future of this role
Much of wafer work still means tending tools, watching process steps, and keeping cleanroom runs on track. Software may tighten monitoring and recipes, yet hands-on equipment care and quality judgment in the fab still matter, and chip demand may support need for these skills.
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