Calibration Technologists and Technicians: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Architecture and Engineering · SOC 17-3028 · O*NET 17-3028.00
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.
Calibration Technologists and Technicians fall under the Architecture and Engineering category in the U.S. occupational classification. Calibration Technologists and Technicians earn a median salary of $65,040 per year, ranking in the top 39% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +4.7% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do calibration technologists and technicians earn?
The median annual wage for calibration technologists and technicians is $65,040. That puts calibration technologists and technicians at #313 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $44,730 |
| 25th percentile | $52,250 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $65,040 |
| 75th percentile | $83,600 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,440 |
| Median hourly wage | $31.27/hr |
Is calibration technologists and technicians a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for calibration technologists and technicians is +4.7%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 15K positions in 2024 to 16K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.
What education does my child need to become calibration technologists and technician?
The standard path into calibration technologists and technicians begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about calibration technologists and technicians
What is the median salary for calibration technologists and technicians?
The median annual salary for calibration technologists and technicians is $65,040 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is calibration technologists and technicians a growing career?
BLS projects +4.7% growth for calibration technologists and technicians from 2024 through 2034, which is average growth projected to grow at roughly the US average.
What education does my child need to become calibration technologists and technician?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to calibration technologists and technicians?
Related occupations within the Architecture and Engineering category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.