Also called: Cryogenic Systems Technician
Keeps the giant chandelier-like refrigerators that cool quantum computers near absolute zero running.
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.
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.
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.
Growing much faster than average. BLS does not project this specialty separately; rating estimated from related occupations.
Low risk for 10 years. Assembling and repairing near-absolute-zero refrigerators and finding leaks are rare hands-on skills in demand.
Classes: Physics, Electronics CTE, Algebra II.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-3029.
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.