Four Ways Greater Phoenix is shaping the Future of Semiconductors

Published: 01/20/2026
Updated: 01/21/2026

1. A Proven Hub for Long-Term Semiconductor Investment

From Motorola opening a research lab in 1949 to Intel establishing a presence in 1979 and TSMC going to production scale in late 2024, Greater Phoenix has been a leader in semiconductor technology advancement for decades. Since 2020, over $200B in capital expenditures have been invested or announced in the region.

  • Intel recently opened its newest fabrication facility in Arizona, producing the 18A chip.
  • Amkor recently broke ground on a $7B facility, the only advanced packaging facility of its kind in the U.S.
  • TSMC has announced six fabs, two advanced packaging facilities and an R&D center in the state, with the first fabrication facility already online.

Projects like these create a ripple through the economy with 50 semiconductor and related suppliers locating in Greater Phoenix in the last five years, across all components of the supply chain.

Bottom line: Greater Phoenix is the epicenter of national semiconductor investment.

2. A Workforce Built for Scale and Speed

Greater Phoenix has made significant gains in the semiconductor industry in recent years, adding 4,000 jobs since 2020, a 13% increase compared to 6% growth nationwide. The region now ranks fourth nationally among metropolitan areas for semiconductor employment and is 3.5 times more concentrated in the industry than the U.S. overall. Momentum is expected to accelerate further, with more than 22,000 semiconductor and related jobs announced in Arizona since 2020, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.

Zooming in: Employers have access to a skilled and growing workforce.

3. A Pipeline Powering the Next Generation of Semiconductor Talent

Semiconductor companies require a well-trained workforce, and Greater Phoenix is meeting that demand.

  • Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering enrolls more than 32,000 students, nearly doubling enrollment over the past decade and making it the largest engineering school in the nation.
  • The Maricopa Community College District offers several programs aligned with the semiconductor industry, including a 10-day Semiconductor Technician Quick Start Program that prepares students for careers in advanced manufacturing.
  • Grand Canyon University, one of the nation’s largest private universities, also offers multiple engineering programs at its Phoenix campus.
  • In 2025, ASML opened the only semiconductor engineering training facility in North America, providing hands-on training for workers operating equipment used by leading chip manufacturers.

The takeaway:  With thousands of new graduates each year, Greater Phoenix is well equipped to meet the future industry workforce needs.

4. Balancing Industrial Scale with Water Stewardship

Arizona has a long history of water conservation and management, and semiconductor companies in Greater Phoenix demonstrate strong stewardship of this critical resource.

  • Intel has funded 20 water restoration projects in Arizona, achieved net water positivity at its in-state fabrication facilities in 2022 and restored 1.1 billion gallons of water in 2023.
  • TSMC is constructing an industrial water reclamation plant that will enable recycling of up to 90% of its water when completed.
  • Amkor is designing its new facility with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, anticipating that at least 80% of its water will come from reclaimed sources.

Big picture: Companies like Intel, TSMC and Amkor are leading the way in sustainable economic growth.

Photo Credit: Intel

Discover why semiconductor leaders are choosing Greater Phoenix