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Metallurgical and materials engineers

Occupation · NOC 2021 21322 · Canada

NOC 2021 code
21322
TEER
1
Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
49
Median wage, Canada
C$48.08 per hour
Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
46
NOC21322TEER 1
Year by year
Data as at 2026
OC<CANMETALLURGICAL<AND<MATERIALS<ENGINEERS<
213220<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0

About this occupation

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.

Example job titles

  • ceramics engineer
  • corrosion engineer
  • electrometallurgical engineer
  • foundry engineer
  • hydrometallurgical engineer
  • materials engineer
  • metallurgical engineer
  • physical metallurgical engineer
  • pyrometallurgical engineer
  • welding engineer

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.

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.

Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)

Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.

Approved positions by year

59201620172019202020212022202320242025
5920162019202120232025
Data table
20165
20172
20196
20202
20214
20229
20238
20245
20258
By province or territory
  1. Ontario24
  2. Quebec18
  3. Alberta3
  4. British Columbia3
  5. Nova Scotia1
Employers with the most positions
  1. SGS Canada Inc.6
  2. Corem3
  3. TechInsights Inc.3
  4. ICE Dragon Corrosion Inc.3
  5. Hydro-Québec2
  6. Woodgrove Technologies Inc.2
  7. Groupe Primero Amériques, Inc.2
  8. Norda Stelo inc.2
  9. TERRAGON Technologies de l'environnement Inc.1
  10. Primero Mining Corp. Inc1
  11. System-X Consulting Inc1
  12. Pretium Exploration Inc1
  13. Irving Shipbuilding Inc1
  14. Primetals Technologies Limited1
  15. Métal 7 Inc.1
By stream
  1. High-wage stream (TFWP)38
  2. Global Talent Stream (TFWP)6

Work permits

Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).

YearTFWP permitsIMP permits
202605
2025015
2024010
2023025
2022010
2021010
2020020
2019020
2018020
2016010
2015010

All work permits by year

132520152016201820192020202120222023202420252026
1325201520182020202220242026
Data table
201510
201610
201820
201920
202020
202110
202210
202325
202410
202515
20265

Permanent residence

Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).

New permanent residents by year

81520182020202120222024
81520182020202120222024
Data table
20185
202010
20215
20225
202415
Express Entry invitations since 2015, by programme
  1. Canadian Experience Class170
  2. Federal Skilled Worker165
  3. Provincial Nominee Program10

Wages

Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.

AreaLowMedianHigh
CanadaC$33.17C$48.08C$66.35
AlbertaC$36.69C$58.86C$93.93
British ColumbiaC$31.62C$50.37C$73.68
Newfoundland and LabradorC$31.33C$50.88C$78.46
OntarioC$35.78C$53.14C$79.86
QuebecC$33.98C$49.71C$75.28
Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
46
Vacancies advertised
47
Median advertised minimum hourly wage
C$36.00