Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Metallurgist I Salary in the United States

How much does a Metallurgist I make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Metallurgist I in the United States is $76,590 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, a Metallurgist I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,086
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,290 to $79,990
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $60,733
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Metallurgist I Salaries

A Metallurgist I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Metallurgist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Metallurgist I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Metallurgist I (0-2 years): $76,506
  • Alloy and Materials Engineer II (2-4 years): $90,390
  • Alloy and Materials Engineer III (4-7 years): $99,441
  • Alloy and Materials Engineer IV (7+ years): $120,757
  • Alloy and Materials Engineer V (7-10 years): $140,353
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Metallurgist I0-2 years$76,506
Alloy and Materials Engineer II2-4 years$90,390
Alloy and Materials Engineer III4-7 years$99,441
Alloy and Materials Engineer IV7+ years$120,757
Alloy and Materials Engineer V7-10 years$140,353
View as Graph

How Do Metallurgist I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Metallurgist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $84,790.
  • California: $84,390.
  • Massachusetts: $83,290.

Top Paying Cities for Metallurgist Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $96,490
  • San Francisco: $95,490
  • Oakland: $93,490

What Skills Can Increase a Metallurgist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 15.51% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • ISO (Mentioned in 2.14% Job Postings): The International Organization for Standardization is an international standard development organization composed of representatives from the national standards organizations of member countries.
  • Environmental Compliance (Mentioned in 1.51% Job Postings): Environmental Compliance means conforming to environmental laws, regulations, standards and other requirements such as site permits to operate. In recent years, environmental concerns have led to a significant increase in the number and scope of compliance imperatives across all global regulatory environments. Being closely related, environmental concerns and compliance activities are increasingly being aligned with corporate performance goals and being integrated to some extent to avoid conflicts, wasteful overlaps, and gaps. Compliance with the above requirements and obligations, requires meeting certain conditions. Typically, these include: Managing monitoring programmes or schedules, ensuring that the monitoring required in the permit has been done, at the correct locations, for the correct parameters, and at the correct frequency Pre-processing, performing calculations and validating the data for compliance with any alert or reporting levels Generating routine compliance reports for authorities.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 15.51%
ISO 2.14%
Environmental Compliance 1.51%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Metallurgist I's salary.

  • Dedication: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Dedication $84,249
10%
Coaching $78,888
3%
Planning $78,122
2%
Get Latest Data

Metallurgist I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Metallurgist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $85,264. While startup companies pay approximate $72,246.

Metallurgist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $72,246
Growth Stage 51~500 $76,373
Established 501~5000 $82,347
Enterprise 5000+ $85,264

Metallurgist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Metallurgist I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Metallurgist positions in MFG Nondurable or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Metallurgist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Metallurgist I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$91,908$44.020%
MFG Durable$80,420$39.05%

How Education impacts a Metallurgist I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Metallurgist Is enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Metallurgist I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $76,562 and $81,917).

Metallurgist I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Metallurgist I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.3%
High School 50.0%
Associates 3.3%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 36.7%
Doctorate 10.0%
View as Graph

Metallurgist I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Metallurgist I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$68,290
Average $76,590/year
$79,990
$5,691
Average $6,383/month
$6,666
$1,313
Average $1,473/week
$1,538
$33
Average $37/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $79,990 $6,666 $1,538 $38
Average $76,590 $6,383 $1,473 $37
25th Percentile $68,290 $5,691 $1,313 $33

Metallurgist I Salary Growth & Career Path

Metallurgist I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Metallurgist I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Ceramics Manufacturing Engineer $90,400 18%
Intermediate Materials Engineer $90,400 18%
Alloy and Materials Engineer II $90,400 18%

Most common benefits for Metallurgist I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Metallurgist I

Here are companies hiring for Metallurgist I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Metallurgist I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Metallurgist I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Metallurgist I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Metallurgist I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Metallurgist I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How much do Welder employees make in the US?

Metallurgists in the US earn an annual salary ranging from $75,090 to $93,590. The average salary is approximately $84,390. This reflects the diverse roles and responsibilities within the field, highlighting the importance of metallurgists in various industries.

3. Is metallurgy a good career?

Metallurgy is a highly qualified career path with promising prospects. The salary range for metallurgists typically falls between $75,090 and $93,590, with a median salary of $84,390. This competitive compensation reflects the demand for skilled professionals in the field, making metallurgy a rewarding career choice.

4. Do engineers make 500k a year?

No, metallurgists typically do not make 500k a year. The salary range for metallurgists is between $75,090 and $93,590, with a mid-salary of $84,390. While some engineers in high-demand fields may reach higher earnings, metallurgists generally earn within this range based on their experience and industry.

5. How much do metallurgists make in the US?

Metallurgists in the US earn between $75,090 and $93,590, with a median salary of $84,390. The highest-paying industries include Manufacturing, with a median total pay of $117,003, and Energy, Mining & Utilities at $115,193. Other notable sectors are Aerospace & Defense at $103,573 and Construction, Repair & Maintenance Services at $94,867.

6. What is the highest salary in metallurgy?

The highest salary for a Metallurgist is $93,590. The top 10% of employees in this field earn significantly more, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals. The average salary falls around $84,390, with a minimum starting salary of $75,090.

7. What is the highest salary for a metallurgist?

The highest salary for a metallurgist is $93,590 annually. The average salary is approximately $84,390, while the minimum salary starts at $75,090. This data reflects the typical salary range for metallurgists in the industry.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst