Also called: Fab Equipment Tech, Tool Technician
Maintains and repairs the complex machines inside chip factories.
When a wafer-etching tool throws an error at 3 a.m., you diagnose it, swap parts, and get it back online fast because downtime costs thousands per minute. Many fabs train techs from community colleges and the military.
Estimate; shift differentials common.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate in electronics or semiconductor technology; military electronics experience valued.
Ways in: 2-year college, Military, Trade school, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Semiconductor Technology (associate), Electronics Technology.
Growing much faster than average. Strong growth from new US fabs.
Low risk for 10 years. Repairing complex fab tools in cleanrooms is hands-on; new US chip plants are short on technicians.
Classes: Electronics CTE, Physics, Chemistry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 49-2094.
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