Taiwan's Semiconductor Boom Faces Talent Crunch

Taiwan's booming semiconductor sector is encountering a severe labor shortage, with 34,000 positions unfilled as of May this year, as highlighted by a report from the 104 job bank and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Focus Taiwan reported.

The report credits the shortage to the sector's continued expansion, bolstered by increased investment in cutting-edge technologies. Significant demand persists in job categories such as 'production/quality control/environmental safety,' 'research and development,' and 'operations/technical support and maintenance.'

The labor gaps are most pronounced in production, quality control, and environmental safety roles, where job openings soared from 5,600 in October 2023 to approximately 10,000 by May 2025. Similarly, roles in research and development grew from 6,000 to 9,316 over the same period. The operations and maintenance sector also saw a 67% rise in job vacancies.

Taiwan dominates the global foundry market with a 68.8% share and is also at the forefront of IC packaging and testing, commanding nearly half of that market globally. However, the rapid industrial growth highlights concerns about a widening talent gap, especially as the industry's workforce struggles to keep pace with technological advancements.

The report also sheds light on the salary structure within the sector. Notably, analog IC design engineers earn the highest median annual salary among non-managerial positions at NT$1.78 million (US$60,320), followed closely by digital IC design engineers.

(With inputs from agencies.)