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The differences between metallurgists and mechanical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a metallurgist has an average salary of $83,962, which is higher than the $75,352 average annual salary of a mechanical engineer.
The top three skills for a metallurgist include continuous improvement, failure analysis and aerospace. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Metallurgist | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $83,962 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $40.37 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 25,545 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
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.
Mechanical Engineers oversee the development of various mechanical devices in different industries. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around crafting, improving, or designing technologies by utilizing extensive expertise in the subject; they identify and detect errors, provide in-depth analysis, and resolve issues. They are often in designated offices, but they can also work on-site and travel if necessary. Furthermore, Mechanical Engineers usually function in a group or team setting, often supervised by personnel in higher positions.
Metallurgists and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Metallurgist | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $83,962 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $115,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Auburn, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | Washington |
| Best paying company | Technip USA Corporation | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Energy |
There are a few differences between a metallurgist and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Metallurgist | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Materials Science And Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between metallurgists' and mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Metallurgist | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.6% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 5% |