by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Metal Arts explores A Program That Focuses On The Development Of Individual Artistic Expression And Technical Skills Necessary For Fabricating Refined Metal Works. Includes Instruction In Aesthetics, Anodizing, Art History, Casting, Design, Electroforming, Enameling, Metalsmithing, Sculpture, Two And Three-Dimensional Design, Wax Carving, And Welding. Read on to learn the important information every metal arts major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering metal arts programs.
Nationwide, metal arts draws strong interest, with 13 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Metal Arts Schools ranking analyzes these 3 schools to determine the best overall colleges for metal arts students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of metal arts programs later in this article.
Programs in Metal Arts build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations metal arts graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a metal arts program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a metal arts major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several metal arts 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 6 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7 |
People currently working in careers related to metal arts tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 25.5% |
| Master’s degree | 19.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 12.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 11.9% |
| Some college courses | 6.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 5.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in metal arts careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying metal arts can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to metal arts.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to metal arts.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Gem and Diamond Workers | 797,991 | 3.9% |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | 486,359 | -1.5% |
| Craft Artists | 402,867 | 5.7% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of metal arts graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $25,613 |
| 4 years | $36,289 |
| 5 years | $41,536 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for metal arts graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers metal arts grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Craft Artists | $76,826 |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | $67,147 |
| Gem and Diamond Workers | $66,671 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 3 different metal arts programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased metal arts school rankings to help you.
Students interested in metal arts, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Art/Art Studies, General | 18,711 |
| Fine/Studio Arts, General | 12,013 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation | 3,557 |
| Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other | 751 |
| Intermedia/Multimedia | 732 |
| Painting | 607 |
| Jewelry Arts | 483 |
| Drawing | 254 |
| Sculpture | 235 |
| Printmaking | 154 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
