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The differences between metallurgists and material engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a material engineer has an average salary of $86,258, which is higher than the $83,962 average annual salary of a metallurgist.
The top three skills for a metallurgist include continuous improvement, failure analysis and aerospace. The most important skills for a material engineer are DOD, failure analysis, and data analysis.
| Metallurgist | Material Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $83,962 | $86,258 |
| Hourly rate | $40.37 | $41.47 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 25,545 | 89,717 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A metallurgist is responsible for producing metal items and resources to create components used for large manufacturing and industrial production. Metallurgists operate various machine tools and equipment, requiring them to have a strict adherence to the workplace's safety protocols and regulations to prevent potential hazards and operational delays. They also identify cost-efficient methods for the processes without compromising high-quality standards and business requirements. A metallurgist conducts troubleshooting and enhances technical solutions for production and manufacturing discrepancies.
Materials engineers are responsible for developing, processing, and testing materials used to create a wide variety of products. These professionals study and evaluate the properties and structure of different materials, including plastics, metal, ceramics, and composites, to create new products. They also perform other tasks that include providing technical advice on suitable materials, diagnosing faults, and providing advice on planning and conducting inspections, repairs, and maintenance. Additionally, they may also oversee the work of other scientists like technicians and evaluate the technical and economic factors surrounding the design aspects of products.
Metallurgists and material engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Metallurgist | Material Engineer | |
| Average salary | $83,962 | $86,258 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $115,000 | Between $65,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | Auburn, NY | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Technip USA Corporation | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a metallurgist and a material engineer in terms of educational background:
| Metallurgist | Material Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Materials Science And Engineering | Materials Science And Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between metallurgists' and material engineers' demographics:
| Metallurgist | Material Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5% | Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.0% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 19.0% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 2.1% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 19.6% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |