Semiconductor Processing Technicians
Machines can already do 34% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 75%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Semiconductor Processing Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 34% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2031, and 75% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 31,460 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $51,430 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 45% for contact with people.
- Also called: Device Processing Engineer, Diffusion Operator, Manufacture Specialist, Manufacturing Technician (Manufacturing Tech).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Load and unload equipment chambers and transport finished product to storage or to area for further processing | 13% | 30% to 75% | |
| Monitor operation and adjust controls of processing machines and equipment to produce compositions with specific electronic properties, using computer terminals | 12% | 40% to 80% | |
| Manipulate valves, switches, and buttons, or key commands into control panels to start semiconductor processing cycles | 11% | 30% to 75% | |
| Inspect materials, components, or products for surface defects and measure circuitry, using electronic test equipment, precision measuring instruments, microscope, and standard procedures | 9% | 30% to 75% | |
| Maintain processing, production, and inspection information and reports | 9% | 70% to 95% | |
| Clean and maintain equipment, including replacing etching and rinsing solutions and cleaning bath containers and work area | 8% | 20% to 60% | |
| Clean semiconductor wafers using cleaning equipment, such as chemical baths, automatic wafer cleaners, or blow-off wands | 5% | 30% to 75% | |
| Place semiconductor wafers in processing containers or equipment holders, using vacuum wand or tweezers | 5% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills semiconductor processing technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Semiconductor Processing Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2031. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of semiconductor processing technicians?
Machines can do 34% of the tasks of semiconductor processing technicians today and 75% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-9141.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Semiconductor Processing Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/semiconductor-processing-technicians/