Best institutions to study 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.
5 U.S. institutions graduated 82 Metallurgical Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.0611, a specialization of Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.06), and leads most directly to the Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 17-3029).
About Metallurgical Technology/Technician programs
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.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Metallurgical Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to support engineers and metallurgists in the development and application of industrial metals and manufacturing processes. This program is ideal for those interested in the intersection of engineering and technology, focusing on practical skills that enhance manufacturing efficiency and product quality. Students in this program will gain a foundational understanding of metallurgy and related manufacturing systems, making it suitable for those looking to enter a technical career in engineering-related fields. With a mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, graduates are equipped to contribute effectively in various industrial settings.
Core coursework includes principles of metallurgy, laboratory techniques, testing and inspection procedures, and system maintenance. Students will also learn about instrument calibration and report preparation, providing a comprehensive skill set for supporting engineering projects.
Credentials awarded
What Metallurgical Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree37 graduates / yr · 5 institutions45%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years30 graduates / yr · 4 institutions37%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year15 graduates / yr · 2 institutions18%
Graduates over time
Metallurgical Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 68 |
| 2013 | 96 |
| 2014 | 87 |
| 2015 | 110 |
| 2016 | 90 |
| 2017 | 67 |
| 2018 | 54 |
| 2019 | 60 |
| 2020 | 74 |
| 2021 | 87 |
| 2022 | 45 |
| 2023 | 75 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 82 |
Top 5 institutions for Metallurgical Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas Northeastern College Blytheville, ARPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 43 | 49% | — | $97,406 |
| 2 | Kilgore College Kilgore, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 19 | 39% | — | — |
| 3 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 12 | 30% | — | — |
| 4 | Seward County Community College Liberal, KSPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 50% | — | — |
| 5 | Schoolcraft Community College District Livonia, MIPublicAssociate's | 1 | 18% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 15.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 4 states
Where Metallurgical Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 1 | 43 | Arkansas Northeastern College43 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 31 | Kilgore College19 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 7 | Seward County Community College7 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 1 | Schoolcraft Community College District1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3029, Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Metallurgical Technology/Technician program can pursue careers as Engineering Technologists and Technicians, with an annual growth outlook of 1.5% and approximately 5,700 annual job openings. The median wage for this occupation is $77,390, and the typical education required is an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.0611
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Otherprimary SOC 17-3029 | $78,350 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~5,700 | Associate's degree |
Related careers
Other Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.06).
- Manufacturing Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0613
Technician 5,247 graduates / yr272 institutions - Industrial Technology/CIP 15.0612
Technician 4,201 graduates / yr150 institutions - Industrial Production Technologies/CIP 15.0699
Technicians 2,268 graduates / yr66 institutions - Welding Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0614
Technician 507 graduates / yr27 institutions - Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0607
Technician 280 graduates / yr23 institutions - Composite Materials Technology/CIP 15.0617
Technician partial data114 graduates / yr8 institutions - Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/CIP 15.0616
Technician 82 graduates / yr10 institutions - Chemical Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0615
Technician partial data67 graduates / yr5 institutions
See all Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What degree will I earn?+
You can earn an Associate's degree or an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I acquire?+
You will learn principles of metallurgy, laboratory techniques, and system maintenance.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with 5,700 annual openings.
What is the typical salary for this field?+
The median wage for Engineering Technologists and Technicians is $77,390.
What is the CIP code for Metallurgical Technology/Technician?+
Metallurgical Technology/Technician is CIP 15.0611 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.06). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Metallurgical Technology/Technician programs?+
5 U.S. institutions reported Metallurgical Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 82 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% of all Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Metallurgical Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other occupation, which Metallurgical Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,350 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $97,406 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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