Metallurgical Engineer

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Work Tasks

• Find new types of metals and new ways to make them
• Change the atoms and molecules in metals and find new metals with different properties
• May specialize in taking metals from ores and making them into useful metals
• May study the properties of metals or find ways to improve the casting and forging of metals
• Work for metal-producing industries, mining companies, foundries, engineering consulting firms, the government, research and testing services, colleges, and producers of aircraft and parts, automobiles, machinery, and electrical equipment
• Work with ores, metals, alloys, microscopes, spectroscopes, analyzing equipment, statistics, reports, test results, product requirements, and computers

Salary, Size & Growth

• $80,500 average per year ($38.75 per hour)
• A small occupation (21,800 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (0.9% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree in engineering
• Employers Prefer: A master's degree in metallurgical engineering
• Certification/Licensing: Registration may be needed, which requires a degree, 4 years experience, and passing 2 tests.