Calibration Technologists and Technicians
Also called: Calibration Specialist, Calibration Technician (Calibration Tech), Gauge Specialist, Instrument Control Technician (Instrument Control Tech)Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and electronics, sometimes under the direction of engineering staff. Determine measurement standard suitability for calibrating measurement devices. May perform preventive maintenance on equipment. May perform corrective actions to address identified calibration problems.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 7 of its 14 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 4.8% by 2035. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 2.6% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters”
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.9 hires for every 10 job openings in professional and business services, which employs about 29% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.7.9 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | not published | not published | 30 |
| Arizona | $69,230 | $51,720 to $96,050 | 400 |
| Arkansas | not published | not published | 230 |
| California | $79,010 | $61,890 to $100,240 | 1,250 |
| Colorado | $63,660 | $53,300 to $84,650 | 260 |
| Connecticut | $63,420 | $55,090 to $75,970 | 120 |
| Florida | $59,770 | $47,940 to $74,040 | 480 |
| Georgia | $66,730 | $56,160 to $87,230 | 140 |
| Illinois | $59,590 | $58,170 to $64,500 | not published |
| Indiana | $61,930 | $47,770 to $72,930 | 810 |
| Iowa | $61,490 | $59,440 to $75,100 | 110 |
| Kansas | not published | not published | 50 |
| Kentucky | $55,650 | $50,620 to $60,970 | 90 |
| Louisiana | $80,670 | $64,690 to $96,820 | 480 |
| Maryland | $60,860 | $58,570 to $97,560 | 200 |
| Massachusetts | $75,500 | $58,090 to $84,810 | 380 |
| Michigan | $70,140 | $58,020 to $86,860 | 400 |
| Minnesota | $60,360 | $56,470 to $82,050 | 400 |
| Missouri | $61,510 | $54,210 to $69,520 | 280 |
| Nebraska | $63,530 | $60,090 to $73,600 | 130 |
| Nevada | $64,530 | $48,150 to $80,200 | 110 |
| New Hampshire | $66,650 | $49,100 to $79,420 | 280 |
| New Jersey | $77,040 | $65,490 to $96,200 | 390 |
| New Mexico | $65,650 | $44,100 to $97,470 | 190 |
| New York | $61,270 | $48,150 to $77,790 | 800 |
| North Carolina | $61,000 | $51,650 to $84,370 | 410 |
| Ohio | $65,520 | $54,110 to $88,360 | 740 |
| Oklahoma | $80,920 | $61,060 to $90,590 | 150 |
| Oregon | $68,830 | $59,520 to $76,980 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,700 | $51,320 to $83,190 | 370 |
| Puerto Rico | $38,460 | $30,010 to $47,520 | 630 |
| Rhode Island | $64,390 | $64,390 to $69,990 | 50 |
| South Carolina | $66,910 | $60,720 to $79,520 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $71,660 | $63,810 to $75,620 | 130 |
| Texas | $74,100 | $57,110 to $99,880 | 5,020 |
| Utah | $67,300 | $49,800 to $100,910 | 80 |
| Vermont | $77,950 | $60,280 to $83,710 | 30 |
| Virginia | $72,730 | $61,380 to $99,120 | 330 |
| Washington | $93,880 | $77,930 to $119,910 | 270 |
| Wisconsin | $61,060 | $50,360 to $73,700 | 320 |
Nationally: $67,820. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 7 of its 14 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Not much | Read blueprints, schematics, diagrams, or technical orders. | Not published |
| Not much | Conduct calibration tests to determine performance or reliability of mechanical, structural, or electromechanical equipment. | Not published |
| AI + software | Visually inspect equipment to detect surface defects. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Analyze test data to identify defects or determine calibration requirements. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Write and submit reports about the results of calibration tests. | Not published |
| Not much | Maintain or repair measurement devices or equipment used for calibration testing. | Not published |
See all 14 tasks
| AI + software | Plan sequences of calibration tests according to equipment specifications and scientific principles. | Not published |
| Not much | Verify part dimensions or clearances using precision measuring instruments to ensure conformance to specifications. | Not published |
| Not much | Order replacement parts for malfunctioning equipment. | Not published |
| Not much | Disassemble and reassemble equipment for inspection. | Not published |
| Not much | Calibrate devices by comparing measurements of pressure, temperature, humidity, or other environmental conditions to known standards. | Not published |
| AI + software | Develop new calibration methods or techniques based on measurement science, analyses, or calibration requirements. | Not published |
| AI + software | Attend conferences, workshops, or other training sessions to learn about new tools or methods. | Not published |
| AI + software | Draw plans for developing jigs, fixtures, instruments, or other devices. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 2 of the 14 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 14 tasks fall under 17 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #4 Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise
- #8 Read documents or materials to inform work processes
- #14 Create visual designs or displays
- and 3 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise | |||
| Read documents or materials to inform work processes | |||
| Create visual designs or displays | |||
| Evaluate the characteristics, usefulness, or performance of products or technologies | |||
| Present research or technical information | |||
| Purchase goods or services | |||
| Plan work activities | |||
| Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance |
Show all 17 activities
| Develop operational or technical procedures or standards | |||
| Evaluate designs, specifications, or other technical data | |||
| Test performance of equipment or systems | |||
| Maintain electronic, computer, or other technical equipment | |||
| Repair workpieces or products | |||
| Inspect completed work or finished products | |||
| Inspect facilities or equipment | |||
| Disassemble equipment | |||
| Assemble equipment or components |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- An explanation or answer30%
- An analysis or summary20%
- A document or report14%
- Advice or a recommendation7%
- Data or a spreadsheet6%
How they worked with Claude
53% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for calibration technologists and technicians specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 169,436 moves out
- 1 Engineers, All Other Very high +3.7% 6%
- 2 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 6%
- 3 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 4 Software Developers, Applications (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 5 Architectural and Engineering Managers High +5.5% 4%
Where people moved in from
of 179,324 moves in
- 1 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 2 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 3 Engineers, All Other Very high +3.7% 4%
- 4 Software Developers, Applications (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 5 Computer User Support Specialists Very high -3.5% 4%
The resume data uses 2010 occupation codes. This occupation comes from “Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other”, which today also includes “Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other”, so these figures cover it too. Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 4% less than high school
- 25% high school
- 30% some college
- 18% associate's
- 18% bachelor's
- 4% master's
- 1% doctorate
Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters” · 4,846 people surveyed.
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters”
3 programs: Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician, Biomedical Technology/Technician and Instrumentation Technology/Technician.
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
BLS publishes no credential figures for this occupation.
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 1 registered apprenticeship in this occupation (Calibration Technician (NOF)). Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Calibration Technologists and Technicians” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS
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