Semiconductor Processing Technician salary in California
Semiconductor Processing Technicians in California earn a median of $48,030 a year ($23.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,030 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $51,430. California ranks 11th of 20 states for semiconductor processing technicians pay. There are 0.26 semiconductor processing technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for semiconductor processing technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| 25th percentile | $46,020 | $22.13 |
| Median | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| 75th percentile | $55,640 | $26.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| Average (mean) | $50,420 | $24.24 |
Half of semiconductor processing technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,002.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,001.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,847.31 |
| Weekly | $923.65 |
| Hourly | $23.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Semiconductor Processing Technician salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $55,170 | 40 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $50,820 | 2,130 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $47,200 | 290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $46,340 | 680 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $40,770 | 1,080 |
Highest-paying states for semiconductor processing technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $78,940 |
| Oregon | $63,330 |
| Florida | $62,330 |
| Washington | $58,710 |
| Minnesota | $57,780 |
| North Carolina | $56,160 |
| Colorado | $52,360 |
| Massachusetts | $51,410 |
| New York | $49,400 |
| Georgia | $48,580 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $43,970 | $21.14 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,910 | $25.44 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,950 | $25.46 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,640 | $24.34 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $47,410 | $22.80 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,110 | $22.17 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a semiconductor processing technician make in California?
The median salary for semiconductor processing technicians in California is $48,030 a year, or $23.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid semiconductor processing technicians make in California?
The top 10% of semiconductor processing technicians in California earn at least $61,030 a year. The top 25% earn $55,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for semiconductor processing technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,550 a year, and a quarter of semiconductor processing technicians earn $46,020 or less.
How many semiconductor processing technicians work in California?
About 4,650 semiconductor processing technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.