Also called: Metallography Technician
Cuts, polishes, and etches metal samples so their hidden grain structure can be photographed.
You slice a sample from a weld, polish it to a mirror finish, etch it with acid to reveal colorful grains, and photograph it under a microscope.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate degree or on-the-job training.
Ways in: 2-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Materials Technology (2-year).
Growing about average. BLS does not project this specialty separately; rating estimated from related occupations.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Automated cutting, polishing and AI grain analysis now handle most sample prep; fewer jobs.
Classes: Chemistry, Physics, Metalshop CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4099.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.