by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Metallurgical Technology involves the study of Metallurgical Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers And Metallurgists Engaged In Developing And Using Industrial Metals And Manufacturing Processes. Includes Instruction In Principles Of Metallurgy, Related Manufacturing Systems, Laboratory Techniques, Testing And Inspection Procedures, Instrument Calibration, System And Equipment Maintenance And Repair, Applications To Specific Processes, And Report Preparation. Read on to learn the important information every metallurgical technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering metallurgical technology programs.
Across the country, metallurgical technology draws strong interest, with 41 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Metallurgical Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 5 schools to determine the best overall colleges for metallurgical technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of metallurgical technology programs later in this article.
Studies in Metallurgical Technology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations metallurgical technology graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a metallurgical technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a metallurgical technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several metallurgical technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 14 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 27 |
People currently working in careers related to metallurgical technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 47.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 25.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.9% |
| Some college courses | 6.8% |
| Master’s degree | 2.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in metallurgical technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying metallurgical technology opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to metallurgical technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to metallurgical technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of metallurgical technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $59,570 |
| 4 years | $66,536 |
| 5 years | $74,003 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for metallurgical technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers metallurgical technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
With 5 different metallurgical technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased metallurgical technology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in metallurgical technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
