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Yes, semiconductors is a good career path. While many professional fields are struggling to cope with the current economy and the effects of COVID-19, the semiconducting industry continues to be poised for growth.
Additionally, semiconducting is a good career path because there are a lot of entry-level opportunities that allow you to get a foot in the door. However, there’s also a lot of room for growth within the industry.
Semiconducting is an excellent career path for people who enjoy STEM subjects. Most of the jobs in the semiconducting industry are various types of engineers and technicians. Even the managers that run things need plenty of experience with the inner workings of semiconducting and STEM.
For more information, here are the top five jobs in semiconducting for both entry-level and experienced applicants.
Individuals with a great deal of experience in semiconducting jobs can easily make over six figures by the time they hit their stride in their careers. While semiconducting jobs can pay a lot, these positions often require the most experience.
3 Best-Paying Jobs in the Semiconductor Industry
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Average Annual Salary: $63,000
A semiconductor technical trainer is a person who figures out the best way to train the next generation of professionals in the industry. Their goal is to come up with the most effective training techniques and services to prepare newbies in the industry.
Technical trainers must have at least three years of experience in the semiconducting industry. Many roles also require at least a year of instructional experience. They also have to be familiar with the entire business of semiconducting, not just the inside job tasks.
When problems arise within their company, they have to be the main person coming up with solutions. A lot of the time, they’re working independently without guidance from higher-ups. Since it’s such a crucial position, technical trainers are one of the highest-paid jobs in the semiconducting industry.
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Average Annual Salary: $102,000
A process integration engineer is responsible for overseeing the performance of semiconducting processes and improving them when needed. A big part of a process integration engineer’s job is sitting back and observing, making notes on how things could be better, coming up with solutions, and putting those ideas into action.
If their original move doesn’t work, it’s back to the drawing board. It’s a great job for people with an analytical mind that enjoy a challenge.
Integration engineers need to know a lot about control systems, subsystems, and the requirements of all the systems that they’re working with. Process integration engineers need to be an expert at their subcontracting craft before earning this job title.
As with many positions that involve solving problems in the company or industry, a process integration engineer is paid very well for their services.
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Average Annual Salary: $54,000
The semiconductor project coordinator is basically the boss of an entire operation. They’re in charge of planning how a project will go and ensuring that it’s executed as expected. Project managers also act as the point of contact between other types of semiconducting jobs and the heads of the department.
Being a semiconductor coordinator is a fantastic fit for someone who enjoys being around other people all day. They have to deal with everyone involved in the operation.
This job also comes with a lot of administrative work. So, it’s best for someone who doesn’t mind these types of tasks. This position comes with great power and a large paycheck, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility.
2 Entry-Level Jobs in the Semiconductor Industry
One of the amazing things about pursuing a career path in semiconducting is that there are many different opportunities to get involved in the field. Here are a couple of entry-level jobs in the semiconductor industry.
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Average Annual Salary: $42,000
The job of a semiconductor manufacturing technician is to maintain the manufacturing equipment and merchandise from a semiconductor facility. This involves continually assessing the equipment and products to ensure that everything is up to snuff.
Semiconductor manufacturing technicians do a bunch of different tasks, from performing routine inspections and collecting data to calibrating ad troubleshooting equipment before production.
The role of a semiconductor equipment technician is largely about making things operate smoothly.
They need to be educated about how things are supposed to work, but they don’t necessarily have to be the person who comes up with the final solution if everything goes wrong. That’s why it’s a good entry-level job in the semiconductor industry.
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Average Annual Salary: $31,000
A semiconductor wafer inspector is a person who tests out and inspects the semiconductor wafers. They need to make sure that the wafers are adhering to the industry standards and specifications. To do this, they take measurements and conduct heat tests with a lamp to see if there are any imperfections on the surface.
Being a semiconductor wafer inspector is a great entry-level role in the semiconductor world. It gets you acquainted with the staples of the industry and teaches you everything you need to move forward in the semiconductor industry.
Why Choose a Career in the Semiconductor Industry?
There are a wide variety of reasons to choose a career in the semiconductor industry. This industry might not initially sound super exciting, but there are many benefits to working in this field. Some of the top reasons to choose a career in the semiconductor industry are:
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The semiconductor industry is expected to grow by over 4.5% in the next five years
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There are lots of available jobs in the industry
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The field requires a lot of STEM and interpersonal skills, which are useful for any job you get in the future
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There’s a variety of impressive companies that hire semiconductor workers like Intel and Micron Technology
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Most jobs within the semiconductor industry pay very well
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You’re helping advance the future of technology and improve it
Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in the Semiconductor Industry
Most jobs within the semiconductor industry require a minimum of four years of education. There is some variation between jobs, but this is the standard rule. The main requirements for working in the semiconductor industry include:
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A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field like computer science, software engineering, or another STEM-adjacent field
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Mathematical, data analysis, and communication skills
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Usually, at least an internship or some experience in the field is required
What Do People Working In the Semiconductor Industry Do?
There are many different types of jobs in the semiconductor industry, but the thread that pulls them together is that they all work to design and create semiconductor devices. A semiconductor is a device that manages the flow of electric current inside electronic devices. The industry is about as scientific and in-depth as confusing as that sounds.
Many occupations work together to cohesively manage this overarching task. There are test technicians who do the testing and report back their findings. Then there are the engineers that take problems given to them and find solutions. It’s an organized system.
Author
Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.
