Research underscores the importance of expanding talent pipelines as historic semiconductor investments accelerate across the United States
MILPITAS, Calif., July 7, 2026 — The United States is undertaking the largest expansion of domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity in its history, creating an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen the nation's workforce and long-term economic competitiveness.
A new National Landscape Analysis, developed by McKinsey & Company for research and informational purposes and published in collaboration with the SEMI Foundation and the National Science Foundation, examines the workforce needed to support this growth and identifies opportunities for coordinated action across industry, education, workforce organizations, and government.
The analysis projects that the semiconductor industry will require approximately 189,000 additional workers between 2026 and 2030, including more than 104,000 engineers and 73,000 technicians, to support announced investments exceeding $390 billion in semiconductor manufacturing, design, materials, and advanced packaging across the United States.
While the report projects a workforce gap ranging from 127,000 to 157,000 workers by 2030, it also highlights significant opportunities to strengthen talent pipelines through greater collaboration, employer engagement, and scalable workforce solutions.
"America has made historic investments in semiconductor manufacturing, and now we have an equally important opportunity to invest in the people who will power this industry for decades to come," said Shari Liss, Vice President of Global Workforce Development at SEMI. "This analysis gives us a clearer picture of where talent demand is headed and reinforces the importance of working together”.
The findings come at a pivotal moment for the industry. Demand is expected to be strongest in states leading semiconductor expansion, including Texas, California, Arizona, New York, Ohio, Oregon, and Idaho, with manufacturing occupations representing nearly three-quarters of projected workforce needs. The study also identifies engineers as the most significant workforce challenge, reflecting both increasing demand and the need to expand pathways into semiconductor careers.
Among the report's key findings:
- Approximately 74 percent of projected workforce demand is tied to manufacturing-related occupations.
- Nearly three-quarters of surveyed employers report significant difficulty hiring engineers today.
- Workforce demand will accelerate as new semiconductor facilities begin production between 2026 and 2030.
- Existing workforce programs are producing strong regional results, creating a foundation that can be expanded through greater national coordination.
"The findings are clear, but so is the opportunity," said Michelle Williams, Executive Director of the SEMI Foundation. "Across the country, organizations are developing innovative workforce solutions that are making a difference. We are connecting those efforts, scaling what works, and creating lasting partnerships that prepare more people for meaningful careers while meeting the evolving needs of the industry."
The report concludes that continued investment in employer-connected training, engineering pathways, public-private partnerships, and regional collaboration will be essential to supporting the industry's long-term workforce needs. It also emphasizes the importance of aligning regional strengths within a broader national strategy, an approach that sits at the core of NNME.
"This analysis reinforces why a coordinated national approach is so important," said Dr. Jennifer Ellis, Director of the National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME). "Every region brings unique strengths, but lasting impact comes from connecting those efforts through shared goals, industry engagement, and collaboration. NNME was created to help scale successful workforce strategies and ensure more learners have pathways into high-demand semiconductor careers."
"One of the clearest outcomes of this work is the value of establishing a shared understanding of the workforce landscape," said Taylor Roundtree, Partner at McKinsey & Company. "This analysis was designed to provide a data-driven view of projected workforce demand and establish a common fact base for stakeholders across the semiconductor ecosystem. By combining workforce modeling, employer insights, and regional analysis, the research helps identify where talent demand is emerging and where the greatest opportunities exist to strengthen workforce pipelines over the coming decade."
Together, the findings reinforce that workforce development will play a defining role in the future of U.S. semiconductor leadership. With sustained collaboration across industry, education, workforce organizations, and government, the United States has a significant opportunity to build the talent ecosystem needed to support continued semiconductor growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.
About the SEMI Foundation
The SEMI Foundation advances economic opportunity for workers while supporting the sustained growth of the global microelectronics industry. As the workforce development arm of SEMI, the Foundation works across industry, education, workforce systems, and community partners to build clear pathways into semiconductor and microelectronics careers while helping employers attract, develop, retain, and advance a highly skilled workforce. Together with SEMI’s network of more than 4,000 companies, the SEMI Foundation helps strengthen the talent pipeline powering the future of technology. Visit the SEMI Foundation online to learn more, and follow the SEMI Foundation on LinkedIn.
About NNME
The NNME is a national workforce development initiative supported by NSF in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce. The NNME connects industry, education, workforce systems, and regional partners through a national network designed to accelerate the development of America’s microelectronics workforce ecosystem. Visit the NNME online to learn more.
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