Calibration technologists and technicians make sure measuring devices give accurate readings. They inspect equipment, compare readings against established standards, adjust and test devices, perform preventive maintenance, record results and schedule servicing. This is hands-on work with physical instruments, and the BLS expects automation to increase demand for it.
The short answer: low exposure, with growth projected. The ILO's 2025 index rates the closest groups at 0.31 (minimal exposure) and 0.26 (not exposed). The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, with about 1,500 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed calibration technicians are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Product Graders and Testers (except Foods and Beverages) | Minimal exposure | 0.31 |
| Physical and Engineering Science Technicians Not Elsewhere Classified | Not exposed | 0.26 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so these are the closest groups for calibration technicians, not a score for the job title itself.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Calibration technologists and technicians | Grow 5% | About 1,500 |
The BLS says that as automation increases the number and complexity of devices, calibration technologists and technicians will be needed to apply their knowledge of measurement science to evaluate and adjust a variety of equipment. Most projected openings come from replacing workers who leave or retire.
Where AI is helping
- Drafting calibration reports and records from test results.
- Tracking service schedules for many devices.
- Flagging readings that look out of line for a person to check.
What stays with calibration technicians
- Measurement science: knowing the standards and how to compare devices against them.
- Hands-on work: inspecting, adjusting and testing instruments.
- Sign-off: confirming that a device is accurate before it goes back into use.
- Checking AI help: generated reports and figures can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
More automated equipment means more devices to keep accurate, which the BLS ties to growth in this field. Technicians with strong measurement skills are better placed. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace quality control inspectors?, will AI replace industrial machinery mechanics? and will AI replace medical equipment repairers?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for calibration technologists and technicians at $67,820 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: associate's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace calibration technicians?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 5 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,500 openings a year.
How exposed are calibration technicians to AI?
The closest ILO groups score 0.31 (minimal exposure) and 0.26 (not exposed).
Does automation help or hurt this job?
The BLS says automation increases the number and complexity of devices, which creates need for calibration technicians.
What do calibration technicians do?
They compare measuring devices with established standards, adjust and test them, maintain equipment and record results.