How much does a materials engineer make?
The median materials engineer in the United States earns $108,310 per year, about $52.07 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all materials engineers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 17-2131.
Materials engineer salary range
Pay for materials engineers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $68,040 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $172,000. The average (mean) wage of $116,380 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $68,040 | $32.71 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $85,820 | $41.26 | |
| Median (50th) | $108,310 | $52.07 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $138,370 | $66.52 | |
| 90th percentile | $172,000 | $82.69 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for materials engineers (SOC 17-2131), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Materials engineer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Materials engineers earn the most in Washington at $140,810 a year, and the least in Iowa at $76,640. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $140,810 | 1,240 |
| Maryland | $130,920 | 960 |
| Delaware | $127,640 | 50 |
| California | $127,550 | 2,760 |
| Oregon | $127,360 | 90 |
| New York | $121,980 | 750 |
| Colorado | $121,430 | 540 |
| Alaska | $120,540 | 70 |
| Texas | $116,170 | 1,730 |
| Wyoming | $114,370 | 40 |
| Massachusetts | $111,030 | 1,060 |
| South Carolina | $110,730 | 440 |
| Alabama | $110,150 | 660 |
| Tennessee | $108,670 | 550 |
| Arizona | $108,260 | 380 |
| Minnesota | $106,430 | 180 |
| Virginia | $106,290 | 620 |
| Ohio | $106,060 | 1,770 |
| Illinois | $105,980 | 180 |
| New Hampshire | $105,840 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $105,090 | 340 |
| Connecticut | $104,390 | 400 |
| Florida | $104,040 | 680 |
| Idaho | $101,750 | 80 |
| Oklahoma | $101,100 | 230 |
| Louisiana | $100,990 | 80 |
| Montana | $100,600 | 180 |
| Arkansas | $100,330 | 110 |
| New Jersey | $100,240 | 290 |
| Missouri | $99,160 | 270 |
| Indiana | $98,290 | 470 |
| West Virginia | $97,960 | 50 |
| Nevada | $97,580 | 110 |
| Georgia | $97,380 | 550 |
| Kansas | $97,200 | 260 |
| Michigan | $96,660 | 1,030 |
| Wisconsin | $96,650 | 320 |
| North Carolina | $95,640 | 770 |
| Vermont | $93,210 | 40 |
| Rhode Island | $92,180 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $90,700 | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | $89,160 | 780 |
| Maine | $89,140 | 110 |
| Utah | $85,720 | 490 |
| Nebraska | $84,540 | 140 |
| Iowa | $76,640 | 310 |
State median wages for materials engineers (SOC 17-2131), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for materials engineers
The BLS projects employment of materials engineers to grow 7.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 23,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 25,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,300 openings a year for materials engineers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a materials engineer
The typical entry-level education for materials engineers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a materials engineer earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $140,810) and the lowest (Iowa, $76,640) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 22,770 people work as materials engineers in the United States. At $108,310 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Materials engineer salary FAQ
How much does a materials engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a materials engineer is $52.07. The middle half of materials engineers earn between $41.26 and $66.52 per hour.
What is the highest materials engineer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of materials engineers earn more than $172,000 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a materials engineer make a year?
The median annual salary for a materials engineer is $108,310. The average (mean) wage of $116,380 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a materials engineer a well paid job?
At $108,310 a year, a materials engineer earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 22,770 people work as materials engineers in the United States.
Which state pays materials engineers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for materials engineers at $140,810 a year. Maryland ($130,920) and Delaware ($127,640) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a materials engineer a good career?
Employment of materials engineers is projected to grow 7.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a materials engineer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for materials engineers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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