NOC 2021 · 21322 · TEER 1
NOC 21322: Metallurgical and materials engineers
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Metallurgical and materials engineers conduct studies of the properties and characteristics of metals and other non-metallic materials and plan, design and develop machinery and processes to concentrate, extract, refine and process metals, alloys and other materials such as ceramics, semiconductors and composite materials. They are employed in consulting engineering firms, mining, metal processing and manufacturing companies, and in government, research and educational institutions.
TEER
TEER 1
Usually needs a university degree
Median wage (Canada)
$48.08 / hour
Job Bank, 2023-2024
High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)
Tier 2
+40 CRS for Canadian work, or 70 for a job offer
Express Entry categories
None
General and program draws only
Express Entry
How NOC 21322 counts for Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Worker: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of continuous skilled (TEER 0–3) work in the last 10 years and 67 points on the FSW grid.
- Canadian Experience Class: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of skilled (TEER 0–3) work in Canada in the last 3 years.
- Federal Skilled Trades: not eligibleNeeds 2 years of work in an eligible trade group in the last 5 years, plus a job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.
High-wage CRS points
NOC 21322 is in tier 2 of IRCC's high-wage list, in effect from 3 November 2026.
| 12+ months of Canadian work | +40 points on top of work-length points |
|---|---|
| Qualifying job offer (no LMIA) | 70 points |
You get whichever option scores higher, not both.
See all 186 high-wage occupationsCategory-based draws
NOC 21322 is not on any of IRCC's 2026 occupation categories. You can still be invited through general, program-specific or French-language draws.
IRCC category listsDuties
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct studies and design, develop and specify the processes, and machinery to concentrate, extract, refine and process metals from ores
- Conduct studies on the properties and characteristics of materials and design, develop and specify processes for moulding, shaping, forming and thermal treatment of metals, alloys and metallic systems, ceramics, semiconducting and other materials
- Conduct chemical and physical analytical studies, failure analyses and other studies and recommend material selection, design of materials, corrosion control measures, operational testing and other procedures
- Coordinate production testing and control of metal refining, smelting or foundry operations or non-metallic materials production operations
- Supervise technologists, technicians and other engineers and scientists.
For Express Entry, your experience must match the lead statement and most of these duties, not only the job title.
Job titles
Example job titles
- ceramics engineer
- corrosion engineer
- electrometallurgical engineer
- foundry engineer
- hydrometallurgical engineer
- materials engineer
- metallurgical engineer
- physical metallurgical engineer
- pyrometallurgical engineer
- welding engineer
All 15 job titles in NOC 21322
- ceramics engineer
- coal preparation consulting engineer
- corrosion engineer
- electrometallurgical engineer
- extractive engineer
- extractive metallurgy engineer
- foundry engineer
- hydrometallurgical engineer
- materials engineer
- metallurgical engineer
- physical metallurgical engineer
- pyrometallurgical engineer
- refining and metalworking engineer
- smelting plant engineer
- welding engineer
Requirements
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in metallurgical, materials, ceramic or chemical engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
Additional information
- Metallurgical engineers research and develop new alloys and systems for extracting metal from ores; materials engineers research and develop new non-metallic materials with physical characteristics to meet specific requirements.
- There is considerable mobility between engineering specializations at the less senior levels.
- Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group require experience.
- Metallurgical and materials engineers work closely with other engineers and scientists and mobility is possible between some fields of specialization.
- Engineers often work in a multidisciplinary environment and acquire knowledge and skills through work experience that may allow them to practise in associated areas of science, engineering, sales, marketing or management.
This occupation may be regulated in some provinces. You may need a licence or certificate from the provincial regulator before you can work in it in Canada, even if you hold permanent residence.
Wages
Wages for NOC 21322 in Canada
Low, median and high wages per hour in Canadian dollars, from ESDC Job Bank's 2025 wage data.
| Region | Low | Median | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $33.17 | $48.08 | $66.35 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $31.33 | $50.88 | $78.46 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Quebec | $33.98 | $49.71 | $75.28 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Ontario | $35.78 | $53.14 | $79.86 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Alberta | $36.69 | $58.86 | $93.93 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| British Columbia | $31.62 | $50.37 | $73.68 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
Provinces with too little data are not shown. Wages vary by city and employer; see Job Bank for regional figures.
Job outlook
Job outlook by province, 2025–2027
Job Bank's 3-year employment outlook for this occupation, by province and territory.
ModerateQuebec
The employment outlook will be Moderate for metallurgical and materials engineers (NOC 21322) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about metallurgical and materials engineers in Quebec:
Approximately 600 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Metallurgical and materials engineers mainly work in the following sectors:
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 26%
Transportation equipment manufacturing (NAICS 336): 24%
Primary metal manufacturing (NAICS 331): 18%
75% of metallurgical and materials engineers work all year, while 25% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
7% of metallurgical and materials engineers are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 81% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 19% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: 54% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 42% compared to 11% for all occupations
ModerateOntario
The employment outlook will be Moderate for metallurgical and materials engineers (NOC 21322) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
What Types of Employers Are Out There?
Manufacturers, mainly in iron and steel mills and transportation equipment production
Engineering and related services
Metal ore mining
What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?
Demand for engineering consulting services and the need for more complex and composite materials to support a range of activities and environmental sustainability
However, during the forecast period, employment prospects may be constrained by weak business conditions in manufacturing, including automotive and steel production due to economic uncertainty
What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?
Generally, ‘engineering’ is a regulated occupation in Ontario. Individuals must be licensed by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) to practise ‘professional’ engineering in the province
An unlicensed engineering graduate can carry out work in the occupation; however, a licensed engineer must take responsibility and sign off on the work.
Here are some key facts about metallurgical and materials engineers in Ontario:
Approximately 1,000 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Metallurgical and materials engineers mainly work in the following sectors:
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 28%
Motor vehicle, body, trailer and parts manufacturing (NAICS 3361-3363): 13%
Primary metal manufacturing (NAICS 331): 10%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 7%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 91% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 9% compared to 19% for all occupations
83% of metallurgical and materials engineers work all year, while 17% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
12% of metallurgical and materials engineers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 83% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 17% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 6% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 45% compared to 24% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 46% compared to 13% for all occupations
ModerateAlberta
The employment outlook will be Moderate for metallurgical and materials engineers (NOC 21322) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about metallurgical and materials engineers in Alberta:
Approximately 600 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Metallurgical and materials engineers mainly work in the following sectors:
Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 44%
Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211): 15%
Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 486, 487, 493): 6%
79% of metallurgical and materials engineers work all year, while 21% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
15% of metallurgical and materials engineers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 80% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 20% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 49% compared to 21% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 44% compared to 9% for all occupations
UndeterminedNewfoundland and Labrador
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedPrince Edward Island
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNova Scotia
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNew Brunswick
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedManitoba
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedSaskatchewan
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedBritish Columbia
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNorthwest Territories
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNunavut
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Source: ESDC Job Bank, 3-year employment outlooks 2025–2027 (released December 2025).
Provinces
Provincial Nominee Programs
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. Most provinces run occupation-targeted draws or in-demand lists, and some accept TEER 4 and 5 occupations that Express Entry does not.
Provincial lists change often, sometimes between draws. We check whether NOC 21322 is being targeted by any province as part of a consultation.
Similar occupations
Related NOC codes
Classified elsewhere
If your duties fit one of these better, use that code instead.
Same occupation group
Manufacturing and processing engineers
Questions
NOC 21322: common questions
What is the NOC code for metallurgical and materials engineers?
What TEER category is NOC 21322?
Is NOC 21322 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 21322 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 21322 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 21322 in Canada?
Classification
Where it sits in NOC 2021
- 2Natural and applied sciences and related occupationsBroad Category
- 21Professional occupations in natural and applied sciencesMajor Group
- 213Professional occupations in engineeringSub-major Group
- 2132Manufacturing and processing engineersMinor Group
- 21322Metallurgical and materials engineers
Enquiry
Is NOC 21322 your occupation? Ask us about your options.
Tell us your duties, experience and language scores. We will confirm your NOC code and the Canadian routes that fit.
Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0, Job Bank wages (2025), Job Bank outlooks 2025–2027 and IRCC. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Checked 21 October 2026.
NOC 2026 is due from Statistics Canada in December 2026. IRCC still uses NOC 2021 codes, and this page will show any change once IRCC switches.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, IRCC or ESDC.
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