'We just don't see that there's enough technical people in the pipeline': US chip fabs are facing a huge worker shortfall — despite promise of huge paychecks, industry says it still needs over 150,000 workers
The US is struggling to attract new chip workers
by https://www.techradar.com/author/craig-hale · TechRadarNews By Craig Hale Published 22 September 2026
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- The US could have a 157,000 shortage of semiconductor and microelectronics workers by 2030
- International chip makers are reportedly bringing in workers as a temporary measure
- Worker salaries aren't the issue, but competition with other sectors might be
New analysis from the SEMI Foundation has revealed the US could face a shortage of up to 157,000 semiconductor and microelectronics workers by as soon as 2030.
This shortage will likely cover all manner of jobs, right from semiconductor engineers to supply chain workers and maintenance staff, putting immense pressure on the sector at the very time that it needs all the resources it can get.
Speaking with CNBC, Samsung semiconductor EVP Jon Taylor declared that the company is "concerned" because it's not seeing enough technical workers coming through the US pipeline.
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Chipmakers are worried about a lack of workers
Only 3% of US engineering graduates enter the semiconductor industry every year, the report warns, with nearly three in four (73%) semiconductor companies reporting significant difficulties recruiting engineers.
The ongoing AI boom, and especially America and the Trump administration's push for more domestic manufacturing and AI processing, are accentuating this shortage of workers. According to McKinsey, semiconductor sales growth during the first six months of 2026 reached its highest year-on-year rate since the mid 80s, with revenue surpassing the trillion-dollar mark.
Numerous high-profile companies are also working on expanding their US footprints despite the clear strains. Samsung itself reportedly expects to create around 3,500 new jobs from two fabs at its Taylor, Texas site, however it's unclear with how much success it will fill them given news about recruitment struggles.
Micron, SK Hynix, TSMC and Intel are also opening new manufacturing facilities, per the CNBC report.
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