SOC 172131

Materials Engineers

Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.

National Median

$108,310

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$108,310

Entry Level (10th pct)

$68,040

Experienced (90th pct)

$172,000

Total Employed

22,770

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$68,040 - $85,820
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$85,820 - $138,370
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$138,370 - $172,000

Highest Paying Locations for Materials Engineers

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$151,260

+39.7% vs national

Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

$147,080

+35.8% vs national

Boulder, CO

$141,320

+30.5% vs national

Washington

$140,810

+30.0% vs national

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

$140,810

+30.0% vs national

Materials Engineers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$151,260	480
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$147,080	440
Boulder, CO	$141,320	100
Washington	$140,810	1,240
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$140,810	1,100
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$140,180	70
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$137,650	380
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH	$136,300	240
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$135,500	70
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$135,400	760
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$134,560	420
Lexington Park, MD	$133,850	80
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$132,490	40
Maryland	$130,920	960
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	$130,760	210
Decatur, AL	$130,550	50
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$130,280	160
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$130,180	30
Delaware	$127,640	50
California	$127,550	2,760
Oregon	$127,360	90
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$127,140	80
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$126,350	670
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$125,580	40
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$124,990	270
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	$124,860	120
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$124,130	230
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$123,700	360
New York	$121,980	750
Colorado	$121,430	540
Knoxville, TN	$121,390	N/A
Alaska	$120,540	70
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$119,580	1,160
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$119,020	80
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$118,830	210
Huntsville, AL	$118,270	330
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	$117,980	100
Chattanooga, TN-GA	$116,270	70
Texas	$116,170	1,730
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$116,000	150
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$115,260	30
Wyoming	$114,370	40
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$113,870	40
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	$112,360	40
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$112,290	330
Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$111,470	60
Worcester, MA	$111,030	170
Massachusetts	$111,030	1,060
South Carolina	$110,730	440
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	$110,700	120

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Materials Engineers?

The national median annual salary for Materials Engineers is $108,310, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Materials Engineerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Materials Engineerss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $151,260.

How much can an experienced Materials Engineers make?

Top-earning Materials Engineerss (90th percentile) make $172,000 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.