Metallurgical Engineering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Metallurgical Engineering is a rigorous, applied science discipline focused on the development, analysis, and optimization of metallic materials for high-performance engineering applications. Students gain expertise in transforming raw metals into advanced structural and functional components used across industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, and manufacturing.
- Material Behavior Under Stress: Investigation into how metals respond to mechanical forces, including deformation, yielding, and fracture under various loading conditions.
- Creep and Fatigue Analysis: Study of long-term material degradation under sustained stress and cyclic loading, critical for high-temperature applications like turbines and engines.
- Alloy Design and Phase Transformations: Exploration of how elemental combinations affect microstructure and performance, with emphasis on heat treatment and phase stability.
- Thermodynamic and Kinetic Principles: Application of physical laws governing energy changes and reaction rates during metal processing and service life.
- Environmental Effects on Metals: Assessment of corrosion, oxidation, and degradation due to exposure to moisture, temperature swings, and chemical environments.
- Electromagnetic Properties in Metals: Examination of conductivity, permeability, and magnetic behavior relevant to electrical and electronic applications.
- Advanced Manufacturing Processes: Mastery of techniques including casting, forging, powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing, and surface engineering for precision component production.
- Failure Analysis and Prevention: Systematic evaluation of material breakdown mechanisms to enhance reliability, safety, and lifecycle performance.
Metallurgical Engineering Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Metallurgical Engineering Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Metallurgical Engineering degrees, including Architectural and Engineering Managers, Materials Engineers and Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 273,020 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers 11-9041 | $167,740 | $111,450 - $239,200 | 210,340 | $80.64 |
| Materials Engineers 17-2131 | $108,310 | $68,040 - $172,000 | 22,770 | $52.07 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1032 | $106,120 | $59,790 - $200,650 | 39,910 | N/A |
Metallurgical Engineering Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $108,063 in Nebraska to $159,125 in New Mexico—a 47% difference. The highest-paying states include New Mexico, California, and Hawaii. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 273,020 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Metallurgical Engineering by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 10 institutions offering Metallurgical Engineering programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Metallurgical Engineering is found at Colorado School of Mines (58 graduates), South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (29 graduates), Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) (20 graduates), The University of Alabama (UA) (13 graduates), and The University of Texas (UTEP), El Paso (12 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 164 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado School of Mines |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
58 | Golden, Colorado | Public | mines.edu |
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Rapid City, South Dakota | Public | sdsmt.edu |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Rolla, Missouri | Public | mst.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| LeTourneau University (LETU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Longview, Texas | Private | letu.edu |
| Montana Technological University (Montana Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Butte, Montana | Public | mtech.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Metallurgical Engineering programs
How much can I earn with a Metallurgical Engineering degree?
Salaries for Metallurgical Engineering graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Engineering Managers earn a median of $167,740 annually, while Materials Engineers earn around $108,310. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New Mexico average $159,125 compared to $108,063 in Nebraska. Approximately 273,020 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Metallurgical Engineering programs?
Currently 10 accredited institutions offer Metallurgical Engineering degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Colorado School of Mines (58 graduates), South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (29 graduates), and Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) (20 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Metallurgical Engineering growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 134 in 2010 to a peak of 207 in 2020, before declining slightly to 164 in 2023-24. This represents a 22% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Metallurgical Engineering degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Engineering Managers, Materials Engineers, and Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 273,020 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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