Semiconductor processing technician
Helps make computer chips by cutting, loading, cleaning, polishing, and processing silicon crystal wafers in furnaces, chemical baths, and special equipment.
Will AI replace semiconductor processing technician jobs?
AI changes jobs more often than it replaces them. How much AI can help with this work: Low. More AI overlap than 30 in 100 jobs. AI touches a small part of this work. Most of the job happens with your hands, your body or in person. 0% of this job’s working time is already spent on tasks people bring to AI at work (Anthropic Economic Index). Based on Microsoft research on real AI use at work, matched to the tasks of each job in O*NET.
What AI already helps with
- Study work orders and processing charts to learn specs and steps
- Keep processing, production, and inspection reports
- Inspect materials for surface defects and measure circuits with test equipment
What stays human
- Clean wafers using chemical baths, automatic cleaners, or blow-off wands
- Place wafers in processing holders using a vacuum wand or tweezers
- Load and unload equipment chambers and move finished products to storage
10-year outlook · USA
Expected change in the number of these jobs by 2035: +8.2%. Typical pay: $51,430 a year. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. German figures differ, but the direction is usually similar.
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