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.
16,540 people do this job in the US. $67,820 a year.
of the working time. Estimate.
- 55%
- 0%
- 45%
Anthropic's data does not cover this job.
On the chosen pace and reliability. Estimate.
Share of the working time within reach, now to 2030
What each choice means: , , , , . Every pace starts from .
At this date and pace, models finish tasks up to 4.4 h long four times in five.
How far this has come
With GPT-4, measured in March 2023, 0% of this job's working time was within reach at . With Claude 3.7 Sonnet, measured in February 2025, 0%. With Claude Mythos Preview (early), measured in April 2026, 14%. Today's estimate: 17%.
A backcast: today's task data with the best model METR had measured by each date. It shows how fast the models have moved, not what anyone forecast at the time.
The tasks
Sorted by . 14 tasks from .
| Task | Kind | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Develop new calibration methods or techniques based on measurement science, analyses, or calibration requirements.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 23% | 2.1 work days6.7 h to 4.2 work days | 0%Half by Jan 2028 | |
| Conduct calibration tests to determine performance or reliability of mechanical, structural, or electromechanical equipment.Done daily by most who do it. | 15% | 2.5 h50 min to 6.7 h | Stays with people | |
| Calibrate devices by comparing measurements of pressure, temperature, humidity, or other environmental conditions to known standards.Done hourly or more by most who do it. | 11% | 1.7 h38 min to 5 h | Stays with people | |
| Draw plans for developing jigs, fixtures, instruments, or other devices.Done yearly or less by most who do it. | 10% | 6.7 h1.7 h to 1.7 work days | 9%Half by Jul 2027 | |
| Maintain or repair measurement devices or equipment used for calibration testing.Done daily by most who do it. | 9% | 2.5 h50 min to 6.7 h | Stays with people | |
| Analyze test data to identify defects or determine calibration requirements.Done daily by most who do it. | 9% | 1.7 h25 min to 4.2 h | 57%Half by now | |
| Write and submit reports about the results of calibration tests.Done several times a day by most who do it. | 5% | 50 min17 min to 2.5 h | 87%Half by now | |
| Disassemble and reassemble equipment for inspection.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 5% | 1.7 h25 min to 5 h | Stays with people | |
| Plan sequences of calibration tests according to equipment specifications and scientific principles.Done daily by most who do it. | 4% | 1.3 h25 min to 3.3 h | 77%Half by now | |
| Verify part dimensions or clearances using precision measuring instruments to ensure conformance to specifications.Done daily by most who do it. | 4% | 38 min13 min to 1.7 h | Stays with people | |
| Read blueprints, schematics, diagrams, or technical orders.Done daily by most who do it. | 3% | 25 min8 min to 1.3 h | 97%Half by now | |
| Visually inspect equipment to detect surface defects.Done daily by most who do it. | 2% | 17 min4 min to 50 min | Stays with people |
Within reach, per task: the share of the task's time whose instances are short enough for a model to finish at the chosen date, pace and reliability. Half by: the date half of that time comes within reach.
Jobs that share skills with this one
From O*NET's related occupations. Within reach now and by the end of 2028, long-run pace, four in five.
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians4% now, 17% by 2028
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians17% now, 49% by 2028
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians16% now, 49% by 2028
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment14% now, 20% by 2028
- Robotics Technicians11% now, 26% by 2028
- Automotive Engineering Technicians13% now, 19% by 2028
Where this job works
The industry groups that employ the most of it (BLS, May 2025).
- Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services3,390 people
- Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance1,440 people
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing1,180 people
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing680 people
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing450 people
Where the most of these jobs are
The metro areas with the most people in it (BLS, May 2025).