<p>This paper focuses on the linear dynamic responses of a piezoelectric semiconductor (PS) sandwich cylindrical shell covered with functionally graded piezoelectric semiconductor (FGPS) layers. The PS sandwich cylindrical shell is composed of a PS core layer and two FGPS surface layers. The FGPS surface layer consists of the metal material (i.e., aluminum) and piezoelectric semiconductor material (i.e., zinc oxide). According to the virtual work, strain energy as well as kinetic energy of the FGPS sandwich cylindrical shell, the vibration governing differential equations are achieved on the basis of Hamilton’s principle. Then the theoretical solutions of the vibration responses are obtained by solving the governing equations with Navier method. Through numerical examples, the effect of the functionally graded index, thickness ratio, initial electron concentration and excitation frequency on the dynamic responses of the FGPS sandwich cylindrical shell is analyzed. The main novelty of the manuscript is that the induced electric potential, perturbation of electron concentration and radial displacement of the FGPS sandwich cylindrical shell may be regulated effectively by designing a proper initial electron concentration and applying an appropriate excitation frequency. The multi-field coupling mechanism among carrier, polarization as well as deformation is demonstrated. The current outcomes also show that the geometric parameter, circumference wave number and functionally graded index have a significant effect on the vibration frequency and damping characteristic of the FGPS sandwich cylindrical shell.</p>