EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in these Post-Effective  Amendments
No. 1 to the  Registration  Statements  on Form  S-8  (Nos.  33-8306,  33-27367,
33-37432, 33-57330,  33-58745,  333-40595, and 333-84149) pertaining to the 1981
Incentive  Stock Option Plan,  1986 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 1988 Incentive
Stock Option Plan, and the 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan of Linear Technology
Corporation of our reports dated July 24, 2000, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of Linear Technology Corporation  incorporated by reference
in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended July 2, 2000 and the related
financial  statement  schedule included  therein,  filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

                                             ERNST & YOUNG LLP

                                             /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

San Jose, California
January 24, 2001