3D Printing Technician / Additive Manufacturing Tech in Chesapeake, VA
Salary data, training programs, and job outlook for Chesapeake-area 3D Printing Technician / Additive Manufacturing Techs
💰 Chesapeake Area Salary
Salaries vary by employer, experience, and certifications. Chesapeake figures based on regional BLS data and cost-of-living adjustments.
📋 About 3D Printing Technician / Additive Manufacturing Tech Work in Chesapeake
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.
What You Do Day-to-Day
- Set up and operate FDM, SLA, and metal 3D printers
- Prepare CAD files and optimize print parameters
- Perform post-processing including sanding and surface finishing
- Troubleshoot print quality issues
- Maintain printer calibration and material inventory
🎓 Training Programs Near Chesapeake
Browse all Virginia schools offering 3D Printing Technician / Additive Manufacturing Tech programs.
📈 Job Outlook
National Growth: 12% (Much faster than average)
National Jobs: 32K employed nationwide
Credential Required: SME Additive Manufacturing Certificate or Stratasys Certification
Typical Program: AAS in Manufacturing Technology or Online Certificate — 6 months–2 years