by our College Data Analytics TeamSemiconductor Manufacturing Technology was the 1,435 most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 3 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 2 over the prior year, a growth of 66.7%.
Our 2023 Best Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology Schools ranking analyzes 1 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for semiconductor manufacturing technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of semiconductor manufacturing tech programs later in this article.
A major in semiconductor manufacturing tech prepares you for careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is crucial. Required skills include using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most semiconductor manufacturing tech degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic semiconductor manufacturing technology program qualifications, to serve in some semiconductor manufacturing tech careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of semiconductor manufacturing tech degrees. You can get anything from a in semiconductor manufacturing technology to the highest semiconductor manufacturing tech degree, a . Different semiconductor manufacturing technology degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to semiconductor manufacturing tech, with approximately 23.5% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for semiconductor manufacturing tech workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 34.4% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 23.9% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 19.9% |
| Some College Courses | 9.2% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 6.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in semiconductor manufacturing technology careers have.
This of course varies depending on which semiconductor manufacturing tech career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your semiconductor manufacturing tech degree? Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology careers are expected to grow 0.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to semiconductor manufacturing technology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians | 139,800 | 2.0% |
| Semiconductor Processors | 24,100 | -5.5% |
As you might expect, salaries for semiconductor manufacturing tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for semiconductor manufacturing technology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers semiconductor manufacturing tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians | $65,050 |
| Semiconductor Processors | $39,810 |
With over 4 different semiconductor manufacturing tech degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased semiconductor manufacturing tech school rankings to help you with this.
Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology is one of 8 different types of Industrial Production Technology programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing Engineering Technology | 4,812 |
| Industrial Technology | 4,540 |
| Other Industrial Production Technologies | 1,740 |
| Plastics & Polymer Engineering Technology | 302 |
| Welding Engineering Technology | 274 |
