Architecture and Engineering · Holland code RCI
Calibration Technologists and Technicians
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.
Also called: Calibration Specialist, Calibration Technician (Calibration Tech), Gauge Specialist, Instrument Control Technician (Instrument Control Tech), Instrument and Control Technician (I and C Tech), Quality Technician (Quality Tech).
O*NET 17-3028.00
At a glance
- US median annual pay
- $67,820
- Middle half earn $56,380 to $92,080. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
- Preparation needed
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Medium preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
- US employment outlook, 2024 to 2034
- +5% · Faster than average
- 15,800 jobs in 2024, projected 16,500. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, which groups this with similar roles as "Calibration technologists and technicians".
What the work involves
The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.
- Maintain or repair measurement devices or equipment used for calibration testing.
- Verify part dimensions or clearances using precision measuring instruments to ensure conformance to specifications.
- Conduct calibration tests to determine performance or reliability of mechanical, structural, or electromechanical equipment.
- Read blueprints, schematics, diagrams, or technical orders.
- Visually inspect equipment to detect surface defects.
- Calibrate devices by comparing measurements of pressure, temperature, humidity, or other environmental conditions to known standards.
- Write and submit reports about the results of calibration tests.
- Disassemble and reassemble equipment for inspection.
Who tends to enjoy it
How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.
- Realistic88
- Investigative52
- Artistic2
- Social9
- Enterprising0
- Conventional77
The same work abroad
Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.
European occupation titles (ESCO)
- metrologist · DE Metrologe/Metrologin · FR métrologue
- instrumentation engineer · DE Ingenieur Messtechnik/Ingenieurin Messtechnik · FR ingénieur instrumentation/ingénieure instrumentation
- metrology technician · DE Metrologietechniker/Metrologietechnikerin · FR technicien métrologie/technicienne métrologie
- calibration technician · DE Kalibrierungstechniker/Kalibrierungstechnikerin · FR régleur-étalonneur en électricité et en électronique/régleuse-étalonneuse en électricité et en électronique
- instrumentation engineering technician · DE Elektroniker Automatisierungstechnik/ Elektronikerin Automatisierungstechnik · FR technicien d’études en instrumentation-régulation/technicienne d’études en instrumentation-régulation
- precision instrument assembler · DE Techniker – Feinwerktechnik/Technikerin – Feinwerktechnik · FR assembleur d’instruments de précision/assembleuse d’instruments de précision
Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)
- Precision instrument makers and repairers (5224)15,800 employed
- Routine inspectors and testers (8143)54,800 employed
- Weighers, graders and sorters (8144)7,800 employed
Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.
Pay across Europe, for the whole group
Median annual earnings of all employees in “Technicians and associate professionals”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.
| Country | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Belgium | €50,992 |
| Austria | €46,986 |
| Germany | €44,473 |
| Netherlands | €42,448 |
| Ireland | €41,613 |
| Sweden | €41,155 |
| Italy | €34,882 |
| France | €34,816 |
| Spain | €29,757 |
| Portugal | €18,080 |
| Poland | €12,108 |
Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.
Related careers
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
- Robotics Technicians
- Automotive Engineering Technicians
Is it a fit for you?
Interest is one input, alongside ability, pay and what is hiring near you. The career interests test takes about thirteen minutes and ranks occupations by how closely their profile matches yours.
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