Ceramics Engineers
Overview
Introduction
Ceramics engineers work with nonmetallic elements such as clay and inorganic elements such as zirconia. They are part of the ceramics and glass industry, which manufactures such common items as tableware and such highly technical items as ceramic tiles for spacecraft. These engineers perform research, design machinery and processing methods, and develop new ceramic materials and products. They work at engineering consulting firms, manufacturing plants, government agencies, and commercial support facilities. There are approximately 2...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, earnings for ceramics engineers are quite good. The department reports a median annual income for all materials engineers (a category including ceramics engineers) of $104,100 or $44.42 per hour in May 2023. At the low end of the scale, 10 percent of materials engineers earned less than $63,340 annually. The highest paid 10 percent had annual incomes o...
Work Environment
Working conditions for ceramics engineers vary depending on the specific field and department in which one works. Hands-on engineers work in plants and factories. Researchers work mainly in laboratories, research institutes, and universities. Those in management positions work mostly in offices; and teachers, of course, work in school environments.
Whatever the job description, a ceramic...
Outlook
Faster than average employment growth is expected for materials engineers through 2032, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). There will continue to be a need for materials engineers both in traditional industries, such as aerospace and automotive manufacturing, and in industries that develop cutting-edge medical or scientific products. The DOL also pointed out that due to an expecte...