A new analysis by the SEMI Foundation highlights a growing concern in the United States: a potential shortage of up to 157,000 workers in the semiconductor and microelectronics industries by 2030. This shortage would affect a wide range of jobs, from engineers and researchers to supply chain and maintenance roles. The semiconductor industry, which is crucial for everything from consumer electronics to advanced computing, is facing intense pressure to meet rising demand while struggling to find enough skilled workers. Samsung’s vice president of semiconductor operations, Jon Taylor, told CNBC that the company is “concerned” about the lack of technical talent entering the U.S. workforce. Only 3% of U.S. engineering graduates choose careers in the semiconductor industry each year, according to the report. Additionally, 73% of semiconductor companies report major challenges in hiring engineers, indicating a broader issue across the sector. This shortage is being exacerbated by the rapid growth of the AI industry and increased government support for domestic manufacturing and AI processing, especially under the Trump administration. The demand for semiconductors has surged, with McKinsey reporting that sales growth during the first half of 2026 reached its highest rate since the 1980s, with revenue surpassing the trillion-dollar mark. Despite this, major companies like Samsung, Micron, SK Hynix, TSMC, and Intel are expanding their U.S. manufacturing operations. Samsung, for example, plans to create around 3,500 new jobs at its facility in Taylor, Texas. However, filling these positions has proven difficult, prompting both Samsung and SK Hynix to temporarily bring workers from South Korea to help manage the workload. Semiconductor jobs in the U.S. come with high salaries, with typical compensation ranging from $127,000 to $187,000, and senior roles exceeding $238,000. Despite these attractive pay packages, companies are struggling to attract candidates. The report suggests that competition from other high-growth sectors, such as software, AI, and aerospace, may be making these industries more appealing to potential workers. This cross-sector competition appears to be a key factor in the current labor shortage, despite the industry’s willingness to offer competitive wages.