Cryogenics / Dilution Refrigerator Technician

Also called: Cryogenic Systems Technician

Keeps the giant chandelier-like refrigerators that cool quantum computers near absolute zero running.

A day in the life

You assemble and repair refrigerators that reach minus 459 degrees Fahrenheit, handle liquid helium, hunt down tiny vacuum leaks, and wire hundreds of delicate cables. When a cooldown takes days, you can't afford mistakes.

Pay over a career

Starting
$50k
Typical
$72k
High
$105k

Quantum jobs are new and not tracked separately by BLS; figures are estimates from industry salary surveys and related occupations.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate degree in electronics or mechanical technology, or military technical training; trained on the job.

Ways in: 2-year college, Military, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.

Majors to look at: Electronics Technology, Mechanical/HVAC Technology, Physics.

Outlook

Growing much faster than average. BLS does not project this specialty separately; rating estimated from related occupations.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk for 10 years. Assembling and repairing near-absolute-zero refrigerators and finding leaks are rare hands-on skills in demand.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Physics, Electronics CTE, Algebra II.

Official data: O*NET occupation 17-3029.

More Quantum Science & Technology careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.