Job prospects Extractive Metallurgy Engineer in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "extractive metallurgy engineer" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29^th, 2023. Learn more about outlooks.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Metallurgical and materials engineers (NOC 21322) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Manufacturers, mainly in iron and steel mills
• Architectural, engineering and related services firms

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
• Development and design of metal and material processes for electronic systems, renewable energy, and batteries for electric vehicles
• Investments in steel plants and mining and mineral exploration in Ontario

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• Knowledge of welding techniques and project management is an asset
• 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): 12%
  • Primary metal manufacturing (NAICS 331): 11%
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (NAICS 21): 6%
  • Utilities (NAICS 22): 5%
• 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

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology