Metallurgical Technicians
Overview
Introduction
Metallurgy involves processing and converting metals into usable forms. Metallurgical technicians work in support of metallurgical engineers, metallurgists, or materials scientists. These jobs involve the production, quality control, and experimental study of metals. Metallurgical technicians may conduct tests on the properties of metals, develop and modify test procedures and equipment, analyze data, and prepare reports. During recent years, metallurgists have extended their research to include nonmetallic materials such as ceramic...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
In January 2020, Salary.com reported the average annual salary for metallurgical technicians was $52,888. Salaries ranged from $45,145 or less to $60,767 or more. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) does not provide statistics specific to metallurgical technicians. In May 2018, the DOL reported that chemical technicians, a job that is similar in scope, had median incomes of $48,160, with salarie...
Work Environment
Metallurgical technicians in research and laboratory activities work in clean, well-equipped laboratories. The equipment at their disposal varies from uncomplicated furnaces and machines to highly sophisticated and sensitive optical and electronic devices.
Metallurgical technicians engaged in production activities spend a good deal of time in mills or foundries. Such jobs frequently invo...
Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor does not provide employment outlook information for metallurgical technicians, but it does report that job opportunities for materials engineers are expected to show little or no change through 2028. Despite this outlook, it predicts that there will be job opportunities in metallurgical engineering because the field is so small and the number of new graduates is ins...
