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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 PCabcGG91WSPB24FF91Gjz19MMTFxUbyGgwoGs18wGk6NnuvvE5LO1/BbKGY+JtZ
 fnWgaDGIMg3/JcYLg8dKsw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-08-037349.txt : 20080606
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-08-037349.hdr.sgml : 20080606
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080606150422
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-08-037349
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080605
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080606
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080606

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001079023
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY, NEC [3559]
		IRS NUMBER:				770501994
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		35 DORY ROAD
		CITY:			GLOUCESTER
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01930-2297
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9782812000

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DICKERSON GARY E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001183258

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-25395
		FILM NUMBER:		08885457

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		KLA-TENCOR
		STREET 2:		160 RIO ROBLES
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95134
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd210079.xml
<DESCRIPTION>DICKERSON FORM 4  06/06/2008
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-06-05</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001079023</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>VSEA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001183258</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DICKERSON GARY E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>35 DORY ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GLOUCESTER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>01930</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-06-05</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>558</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>37.5803</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>163526</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person is the recipient of a grant of restricted stock, the terms of which provide that upon vesting, shares will be automatically sold sufficient to cover Varian Semiconductor's tax withholding obligation with respect to such vesting.  This sale was effected pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Gary E. Dickerson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-06-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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