How much does a calibration technologist and technician make?
The median calibration technologist and technician in the United States earns $65,040 per year, about $31.27 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all calibration technologists and technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 17-3028.
Calibration technologist and technician salary range
Pay for calibration technologists and technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $44,730 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $105,440. The average (mean) wage of $71,080 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,730 | $21.51 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $52,250 | $25.12 | |
| Median (50th) | $65,040 | $31.27 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $83,600 | $40.19 | |
| 90th percentile | $105,440 | $50.69 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for calibration technologists and technicians (SOC 17-3028), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Calibration technologist and technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Calibration technologists and technicians earn the most in New Jersey at $94,650 a year, and the least in Alabama at $40,310. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $94,650 | 310 |
| Washington | $87,550 | 250 |
| Arizona | $82,890 | 440 |
| Oregon | $77,140 | 100 |
| Rhode Island | $76,740 | 30 |
| New Mexico | $71,760 | 150 |
| Virginia | $70,730 | 300 |
| Michigan | $70,140 | 450 |
| California | $69,840 | 1,320 |
| Illinois | $68,160 | 180 |
| Vermont | $67,490 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $66,390 | 330 |
| Utah | $65,920 | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $64,800 | 220 |
| Georgia | $64,550 | 230 |
| Connecticut | $64,480 | 90 |
| Indiana | $64,270 | 460 |
| Texas | $64,270 | 3,680 |
| Idaho | $63,590 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $63,190 | 30 |
| Arkansas | $63,080 | 150 |
| North Carolina | $62,910 | 470 |
| Massachusetts | $62,750 | 310 |
| Ohio | $62,610 | 570 |
| South Carolina | $62,470 | 70 |
| Florida | $61,930 | 850 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,680 | 690 |
| Colorado | $60,480 | 230 |
| Nevada | $60,430 | 140 |
| New York | $59,740 | 650 |
| Oklahoma | $59,630 | 80 |
| Nebraska | $59,520 | 200 |
| Maryland | $58,130 | 440 |
| Minnesota | $57,660 | 370 |
| Missouri | $55,040 | 140 |
| Kentucky | $54,090 | 170 |
| Wisconsin | $46,830 | 120 |
| Alabama | $40,310 | 50 |
State median wages for calibration technologists and technicians (SOC 17-3028), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for calibration technologists and technicians
The BLS projects employment of calibration technologists and technicians to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 17,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 17,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,500 openings a year for calibration technologists and technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a calibration technologist and technician
The typical entry-level education for calibration technologists and technicians is an associate's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a calibration technologist and technician earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $94,650) and the lowest (Alabama, $40,310) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 15,320 people work as calibration technologists and technicians in the United States. At $65,040 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Calibration technologist and technician salary FAQ
How much does a calibration technologist and technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a calibration technologist and technician is $31.27. The middle half of calibration technologists and technicians earn between $25.12 and $40.19 per hour.
What is the highest calibration technologist and technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of calibration technologists and technicians earn more than $105,440 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a calibration technologist and technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a calibration technologist and technician is $65,040. The average (mean) wage of $71,080 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a calibration technologist and technician a well paid job?
At $65,040 a year, a calibration technologist and technician earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 15,320 people work as calibration technologists and technicians in the United States.
Which state pays calibration technologists and technicians the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for calibration technologists and technicians at $94,650 a year. Washington ($87,550) and Arizona ($82,890) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a calibration technologist and technician a good career?
Employment of calibration technologists and technicians is projected to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a calibration technologist and technician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for calibration technologists and technicians as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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