💻 Technology ↑ 12% growth · Much faster than average

3D Printing Technician / Additive Manufacturing Tech

3D printing technicians operate and maintain additive manufacturing equipment to produce prototypes, custom parts, and medical devices. This emerging field is growing rapidly across aerospace, medical devices, and consumer products as manufacturers adopt additive processes at scale.

$52,000 Median Salary
32K US Jobs
6 months–2 years Training
$1,500–$15,000 Typical Cost
Get Free Program Info → Find Schools

💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Entry Level
$37,000
Median
$52,000
Experienced
$76,000
Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.

📈 Job Outlook

12%
Projected Growth (10yr)
Much faster than average
32K
Total US Jobs
Active positions nationwide
SME Additive Manufacturing Certificate or Stratasys Certification
Required Credential
SME Additive Manufacturing Certificate or Stratasys Certification

🎓 Training & Education

Typical Program
AAS in Manufacturing Technology or Online Certificate
Program Length
6 months–2 years
Typical Tuition
$1,500–$15,000
Work Setting
Manufacturing plants, hospitals, aerospace firms, design studios
🏆 Credential Required: SME Additive Manufacturing Certificate or Stratasys Certification

☀️ Day in the Life

A typical day as a 3D Printing Technician / Additive Manufacturing Tech involves working closely with clients and colleagues in a Manufacturing plants environment. You'll apply your training daily while building expertise and advancing your career.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • ✅ Strong job security
  • ✅ Rewarding work
  • ✅ Clear career progression
  • ✅ Growing demand

Challenges

  • ⚠️ Can be physically demanding
  • ⚠️ May require ongoing certification
  • ⚠️ Entry-level wages vary by region

🗺️ 3D Printing Technician / Additive Manufacturing Tech by State

See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:

FL FloridaGA GeorgiaTX TexasCA CaliforniaNY New YorkNC North CarolinaIL IllinoisOH OhioPA PennsylvaniaAZ ArizonaAL AlabamaAR ArkansasLA LouisianaMS MississippiSC South CarolinaTN TennesseeVA VirginiaWV West VirginiaKY KentuckyMD MarylandDE DelawareNJ New JerseyCT ConnecticutMA MassachusettsRI Rhode IslandNH New HampshireVT VermontME MaineMI MichiganIN IndianaWI WisconsinMN MinnesotaIA IowaMO MissouriND North DakotaSD South DakotaNE NebraskaKS KansasOK OklahomaCO ColoradoMT MontanaWY WyomingID IdahoUT UtahNV NevadaNM New MexicoWA WashingtonOR OregonAK AlaskaHI HawaiiDC Washington DC