Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Metallurgy Process Engineer I in Kentucky is $72,023 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, a Metallurgy Process Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
Smart Recruiting
Metallurgy Process Engineer I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $75,223 | $6,269 | $1,447 | $36 |
| Average | $72,023 | $6,002 | $1,385 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,283 | $5,357 | $1,236 | $31 |
Oar Staffing - Louisville, KY
Arvato - Shepherdsville, KY
NHK Spring Precision - Louisville, KY
Darling Ingredients Inc. - Newport, KY
A Metallurgy Process Engineer 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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Metallurgy Process Engineer 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Metallurgy Process Engineer I | 0-2 years | $72,004 |
| Alloy and Materials Engineer II | 2-4 years | $85,065 |
| Alloy and Materials Engineer III | 4-7 years | $93,588 |
| Alloy and Materials Engineer IV | 7+ years | $113,630 |
| Alloy and Materials Engineer V | 7-10 years | $132,101 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Metallurgy Process Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Metallurgy Process Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $80,372. While startup companies pay approximate $68,034.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $68,034 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $71,939 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $77,629 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $80,372 |
For Metallurgy Process Engineer 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, Metallurgy Process Engineer positions in MFG Nondurable or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Metallurgy Process Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $86,428 | $42.0 | 20% |
| MFG Durable | $75,624 | $36.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a Metallurgy Process Engineer 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $75,223 | $6,269 | $1,447 | $36 |
| Average | $72,023 | $6,002 | $1,385 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,283 | $5,357 | $1,236 | $31 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Metallurgy Process Engineer 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 | $85,100 | 18% |
| Intermediate Materials Engineer | $85,100 | 18% |
| Alloy and Materials Engineer II | $85,100 | 18% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Metallurgy Process Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Hawkins HR Consulting, LLC
Calvert City, KY
Hawkins HR Consulting, LLC | Calvert City, KY
Job Description. Job Description. We are seeking a. Lead Process Improvement Engineer. to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement initiativ... more
10 Days Ago
Drax
CHASE, LA
Drax | CHASE, LA
Drax is seeking a Process Control Engineer to join our Engineering & Design team within the Energy & Utilities sector. You will design, implement, and opti... more
13 Days Ago
Drax
QUITMAN, LA
Drax | QUITMAN, LA
Drax is seeking a Process Control Engineer to join our Engineering & Design team within the Energy & Utilities sector. You will design, implement, and opti... more
13 Days Ago
Drax
WILLOW GLEN, LA
Drax | WILLOW GLEN, LA
Drax is seeking a Process Control Engineer to join our Engineering & Design team within the Energy & Utilities sector. You will design, implement, and opti... more
13 Days Ago
Drax
HARRISONBURG, LA
Drax | HARRISONBURG, LA
Drax is seeking a Process Control Engineer to join our Engineering & Design team within the Energy & Utilities sector. You will design, implement, and opti... more
13 Days Ago
Drax
CLARKS, LA
Drax | CLARKS, LA
Drax is seeking a Process Control Engineer to join our Engineering & Design team within the Energy & Utilities sector. You will design, implement, and opti... more
13 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
