Taiwan Semiconductor is hiring in Phoenix. How many jobs? What pay? How do you get one?
Russ Wiles- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., a major semiconductor manufacturer, is significantly expanding its operations in Phoenix.
- TSMC is partnering with Arizona universities and community colleges to develop a skilled workforce for the semiconductor industry.
- Apprenticeship programs are available, offering paid on-the-job training and educational opportunities for those entering the field.
The last few months have been rough for some semiconductor companies around the Valley, with Intel in Chandler, Microchip Technology in Tempe and On Semiconductor of Scottsdale all announcing layoffs.
But Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. continues to ratchet up plans for its U.S. manufacturing hub in north Phoenix.
The expansion will mean more hiring for engineers with college degrees plus opportunities for technicians lacking four-year degrees, along with technician apprentices, including some new hires not far removed from high school.
Here's what to know about the job landscape:
Who is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and why is it important?
This is one of the world’s dominant makers of semiconductors or chips, the tiny devices that help power all sorts of electronic equipment, from cellphones and laptops to cars, airplanes, military weapons, medical devices, power plants and much more. TSMC makes chips for other companies, including Apple and Nvidia, not for its own products.
The company is highly profitable and decided in 2020, after years of wooing by Arizona economic development officials, to set up a factory or “fab” in north Phoenix, near Loop 303 and Dove Valley Road. The corporation initially committed to investing $12 billion in a single factory, then expanded that to three fabs and a $65 billion commitment. Then came even bigger news.
What was that bigger news about TSMC?
In a March 3 announcement at the White House, President Trump and TSMC’s CEO, C.C. Wei, announced the company would invest another $100 billion in three new fabs and related facilities, raising the total to $165 billion. All expansion plans are set for its north Phoenix campus, where TSMC already has started to produce and ship the most advanced semiconductors made on American soil.
What kind of jobs can I get at TSMC? What do they pay?
This deep-pocketed company is one of the largest employers adding staff anywhere in Arizona right now.
Many of these jobs pay well and can lead to advancements in an industry with generally bright prospects. Even new entrants into the field, such as technician apprentices, can start in the $40,000-plus range, with that escalating to $70,000 and up for more experienced individuals.
How many people work at TSMC now in Phoenix, and what’s the projection?
TSMC employs about 3,000 people at its Phoenix complex, and the company so far has mentioned employment rising to around 6,000. But that’s likely to increase with the new expansion plans, requiring the company to develop a bigger workfore.
During a question-and-answer session at the White House with the press, Trump suggested perhaps 25,000 employees could work there eventually, but that hasn’t been confirmed by the company.
What types of jobs are these?
They run the gamut, from engineers to technicians and with many specialties thrown in. Technicians will account for most of the hiring in Phoenix.
“An estimated 60% of new jobs being created in the semiconductor industry (including skilled technical roles) will not require a bachelor’s degree,” wrote McKinsey & Co. in a report.
Are Arizona's universities getting involved?
Yes. Several are ramping up programs to educate future TSMC workers. The company already recruits for engineers at universities nationally, including at Arizona State University, which features the largest engineering school in the country.
About 7,000 of the 32,000 students now enrolled at ASU’s engineering school will graduate with skills suitable for semiconductor work, according to Jay Thorne, a university spokesman. Many are already engaged with TSMC through fellowships, company-sponsored research products and so on. More about ASU’s connection with TSMC can be found at https://tsmc.asu.edu/.
What about Arizona's community colleges?
Many of these schools also are involved with TSMC or providing education for semiconductor careers, including Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale, Rio Salado College in Tempe and Gateway Community College in Phoenix.
While the industry already employs legions of engineers and other highly educated specialists, technicians are critical to keeping these complexes running. For example, technicians install, operate and maintain sophisticated equipment as well as air conditioning units, ultra-clean water systems, power components and more.
“The greatest needs and opportunities (in the semiconductor industry) are at the technician level,” said Mike Russo, president and CEO of the National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement or NIICA.
TSMC also has what it calls a “Quick Start” semiconductor training program, offered through community colleges.
Even high school students can gain exposure to the industry through the Western Maricopa Education Center or West-MEC, a public school district that offers career and technical education.
Does TSMC have other employment partners in Arizona?
Yes. They include the city of Phoenix and the Arizona Commerce Authority.
Another is employment giant ManpowerGroup, which is partnering with the NIICA to deliver a larger talent pool of skilled workers in semiconductors and other advanced manufacturing industries.
This collaboration provides "an avenue for individuals to pursue careers previously considered out of reach," said Allison Dadoun, global client solutions director at ManpowerGroup. More of the company's efforts can be seen at niica.org.
Plenty of partners are needed, as the industry faces a shortage of 67,000 workers in coming years, according to a forecast by the Semiconductor Industry Association and Oxford Economics.
How are apprentice jobs different?
Many technicians have already worked in the industry for several years. Apprentices are coming in much fresher, sometimes within months or a couple of years of graduating from high school or after working in other fields.
They will receive anywhere from roughly two to five years of paid on-the-job training, supplemented by community college coursework.
They also connect with a mentor at TSMC, and many will become mentors themselves within a few years. Ideal apprentice candidates are people coming out of high school with computer and mechanical aptitude.
TSMC's facilities apprentices, for example, get exposure in four key fab areas: water, mechanical, electrical and gas/chemical before choosing a specialization.
The community-college courses they take cover topics such as automated industrial technology, heating/air conditioning, water treatment, electricity and manufacturing. Future apprentices could have somewhat different job tasks and coursework, with other technician programs geared to equipment, manufacturing and other areas.
Apprentices spend most of their time at TSMC, draw a paycheck and receive benefits. More about technicians can be found at https://www.tsmc.com/static/abouttsmcaz/apprenticeship.htm. Basically, apprentices work 40-hour weeks, supplemented by one three-hour college course each week in the Maricopa Community College system. Apprentice pay starts in the range of $40,000 and up.
How prevalent are apprentices at TSMC?
Not too prevalent yet. The company is still growing this program from a small base, with only eight people enrolled with plans to expand that by another 75 soon. TSMC Arizona is not accepting further applications for its Spring 2025 apprenticeship group.
However, the company is recruiting candidates for an "intensive" Manufacturing Specialist program for non-apprentice technicians, which will start this summer.
People interested in that may apply at a TSMC website.
Will engineers or technicians train in Taiwan for positions with the company?
Not necessarily. TSMC is headquartered near the capital of Taiwan and has fabs in the island nation, as well as in China, Europe and other places.
While the first phases of the Phoenix fab were being built, many American workers did receive training in Taiwan. But now that the Arizona operation is further along, “We are able to onboard and train locally hired employees here,” said Christine Dotts, a spokeswoman in Phoenix. “However, there may be opportunities for some employees to spend some short time in Taiwan for training on specific operations or technologies.”
TSMC also is hiring at other locations around the world. If you are interested in jobs with the company outside of Arizona, there's information at tsmc.com.
Reach the writer at russ.wiles@arizonarepublic.com.