Semiconductors

2025 Job Market Outlook & Salary Guide

Semiconductors

2025 Job Market Overview.

In 2023, the global Semiconductor market was valued at approximately $600 billion, reflecting its critical importance to other industries. Last year the demand for skilled professionals in the Semiconductor industry soared, particularly in areas such as chip design, fabrication, and software development.

Total number of employees.

Wonder where your peers around the world are working - or where else you could take your skills?

Source: Lightcast

Top in-demand roles in North America.

Zooming in on North America, these will be some of the most in-demand roles in the Semiconductor industry throughout the continent in 2025.

Source: Lightcast

For each of these in-demand roles in the Semiconductor industry in North America, we'll explore the approximate supply of qualified professionals vs. the number of current job openings, the average number of applications and days online for each role, and the current salary range.

Semiconductors

Top Roles in Semiconductors

Advancements in AI and consumer electronics is causing higher demand for Chip Designers, while elevated demand for Process Engineers is driven by new fabrication plants. Growing demand for embedded systems and automation is boosting the need for Software Engineers. And high demand for equipment maintenance and troubleshooting is requiring more Field Service Engineers, where supply is moderate but often requires extensive travel.

Below is an estimate of the current supply of qualified professionals in each area, compared to the demand for those same roles expressed as the number of current job openings.

Title	# of Qualified Job Seekers	# of Job Openings	Average # of Applications/Job	# of Days Posted Online
Electrical Engineers	12,000	18,000	70 - 130	60 - 120
Chip Designers	10,000	15,000	50 - 100	90 - 180
Manufacturing Engineers	8,000	12,000	50 - 100	60 - 120
Process Engineers	8,000	12,000	40 - 80	60 - 120
Field Service Engineers	5,000	7,000	50 - 100	30 - 90

Last year the average Engineering job posting saw anywhere from 100-200 applications and was kept online for about 26 days. How many people can you expect to compete with for the average job posting? And how quickly should you get that application in once it's posted?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wage for engineers is about $100,640. The average earnings per job for Semiconductor engineers is about $117,000. See ranges for our top roles below.

Title	Low Range	High Range
Electrical Engineers	$80,000	$120,000
Chip Designers	$100,000	$150,000
Manufacturing Engineers	$75,000	$110,000
Process Engineers	$90,000	$130,000
Field Service Engineers	$60,000	$90,000

We've seen industries like aerospace, electronics, and automotive be pretty transferable because at the end of the day, they all rely on each other.

Mark Saltrelli, VP of Engineering Recruiting

Chipping Away: Semiconductor Career Insights

Explore current engineering job openings.

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This data reflects general averages across skills and geographies. Individuals should assess their own skills, experiences, and local job market trends to plan their career development. Regularly updating skills and adapting to industry changes is key to staying competitive. Join the Kelly Engineering network to receive the latest career advice, trends, & exclusive jobs straight to your inbox every month.

The semiconductor industry has seen huge growth... with the shift towards advanced nodes and packaging technology to meet the demand for smaller, more compact, and more efficient chips.

Mark Saltrelli, VP of Engineering Recruiting

Chipping Away: Semiconductor Career Insights

Whether you’re an engineer, a technician, a soon-to-be grad, or just semiconductor-curious, catch up on a webinar packed with valuable insights.

Key Takeaways:

Emerging Trends: The industry is evolving rapidly with advancements in AI, 5G, and data centers. Understand how the demand for smaller, more efficient chips is being addressed and the supply chain challenges being tackled.
Regional Growth: Discover how new fabs and manufacturing facilities are springing up across the US, like in New York and Idaho, creating exciting job opportunities.
Transferable Skills: Learn how experience in fields like aerospace, automotive, and electronics can be valuable in semiconductor roles. Recruiters can help identify and highlight these skills to match you with the right job.
Talent Attraction and Retention: Companies are offering hybrid work models, continuous professional development, and even global travel opportunities for roles such as field service engineers.
Industry Collaboration: Competitors are working together to drive technological innovation and growth. This collaborative spirit is unique and beneficial for the entire industry.
Career Pathways: Understand the semiconductor ecosystem from A to Z. Whether you’re an engineer, technician, or recent graduate, knowing where you fit can help you strategically plan your career.

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