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Calibration and Precision Instrument Technicians

Calibration technicians check and adjust measuring instruments so they give accurate readings. Their work is essential in hospitals, factories and labs where exact measurements matter.

Calibration and Precision Instrument Technicians

19

Engineering and Technology

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO19%moving to64%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSC
STARTING PAY£28,000 - £32,000
PHYSICAL MOATThe work is hands-on, in the real world. Software alone can't do it.
This job holds up well against AI
AI cannot yet do much of what this job actually involves, and the work is hands-on, in the real world. Software alone can't do it. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.

The role

As a calibration and precision instrument technician, you make sure that thermometers, scales, pressure gauges and other measuring devices are accurate. Hospitals, factories, airports and labs all depend on these instruments to work properly - a doctor using an inaccurate thermometer, or an engineer building a plane part that is slightly the wrong size, could cause real problems. You use special equipment and follow strict procedures to test and adjust instruments until they meet very tight accuracy standards.

You will work in laboratories and workshops, sometimes travelling to customer sites, testing instruments and fixing ones that are broken. The work is hands-on and detail-focused - you need to be precise, follow procedures carefully, and keep detailed records of everything. You also help design better ways to test and calibrate instruments. You need good practical skills, patience and the ability to think through problems logically.

Daily responsibilities

  • Conduct routine calibration of precision instruments to maintain accuracy standards.
  • Troubleshoot and repair faulty measuring devices and systems.
  • Document calibration results and maintain detailed records for compliance.
  • Collaborate with engineers to develop new calibration methods and improve existing processes.
  • Perform preventive maintenance on equipment to ensure optimal performance.
  • Utilize software tools for data analysis and instrument performance monitoring.
  • Train staff on the proper use and maintenance of precision instruments.
  • Stay updated on industry standards and technological advancements in calibration.

Does a degree help here?

A UK degree in engineering, physics, or a related field provides candidates with a solid foundation in the principles of measurement and instrumentation, giving them a competitive edge in this highly technical field.

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AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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