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Metallurgist vs materials process engineer

The differences between metallurgists and materials process engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a materials process engineer has an average salary of $90,788, 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 materials process engineer are failure analysis, material properties, and process specifications.

Metallurgist vs materials process engineer overview

MetallurgistMaterials Process Engineer
Yearly salary$83,962$90,788
Hourly rate$40.37$43.65
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs25,54579,795
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4141
Years of experience--

What does a metallurgist do?

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.

What does a materials process engineer do?

Materials Process Engineers are licensed engineers who develop different materials, usually for research or production purposes. They may create new materials derived from existing compounds and materials. Materials Process Engineers must document the processes involved in creating these new materials. They would then study the different elements and specifications of this new material. This would help industries that may need a similar material gauge, whether applicable in their area. Material Process Engineers also work on finding new ways to use existing materials. This would help increase the value of the material since there are more and practical uses for it.

Metallurgist vs materials process engineer salary

Metallurgists and materials process engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

MetallurgistMaterials Process Engineer
Average salary$83,962$90,788
Salary rangeBetween $61,000 And $115,000Between $69,000 And $118,000
Highest paying CityAuburn, NYEverett, WA
Highest paying stateNew HampshireWashington
Best paying companyTechnip USA CorporationMeta
Best paying industryManufacturingAutomotive

Differences between metallurgist and materials process engineer education

There are a few differences between a metallurgist and a materials process engineer in terms of educational background:

MetallurgistMaterials Process Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorMaterials Science And EngineeringChemical Engineering
Most common collegeGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Institute of Technology

Metallurgist vs materials process engineer demographics

Here are the differences between metallurgists' and materials process engineers' demographics:

MetallurgistMaterials Process Engineer
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 88.5% Female, 11.5%Male, 78.3% Female, 21.7%
Race ratioBlack 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, 2.3% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 18.3% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between metallurgist and materials process engineer duties and responsibilities

Metallurgist example responsibilities.

  • Lead research and process development projects on titanium wire and bar products.
  • Maintain strong business relationship between NIKE, mills, fabric suppliers, and vertical apparel manufacturers to achieve mutual success.
  • Lead project for first desktop land grid array (LGA) HVM socket that include leaded and lead free solder balls.
  • Manage process development projects on forge and machine medical and aerospace parts.
  • Manage and successfully complete carbon/epoxy material qualification and gain approval from FAA to use in manufacturing of composite aircraft parts.
  • Supervise technical personnel and laboratories for aluminum and titanium forge products.
  • Show more

Materials process engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage and successfully complete carbon/epoxy material qualification and gain approval from FAA to use in manufacturing of composite aircraft parts.
  • Redesign polymer formulations for critical defense and aerospace programs due to chemical obsolescence.
  • Pulled/Analyze data in JMP package.
  • Project manager for electrical and thermo-property testing to ASTM standards.
  • Perform weekly injector, thrust chamber, and gear quality inspection per AES, ASTM, standards and DELMIA requirements.
  • Coordinate with the forging and heat treatment departments to resolve the occasional recurring excessive ultrasonic noise issue in titanium alloys.
  • Show more

Metallurgist vs materials process engineer skills

Common metallurgist skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 7%
  • Failure Analysis, 6%
  • Aerospace, 6%
  • Heat Treat, 6%
  • Data Analysis, 4%
  • Aluminum, 4%
Common materials process engineer skills
  • Failure Analysis, 10%
  • Material Properties, 9%
  • Process Specifications, 6%
  • Engineering Drawings, 5%
  • DOD, 4%
  • Data Analysis, 3%

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