How much does a materials engineer make?
The median materials engineer in the United States earns $112,860 per year, about $54.26 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all materials engineers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 17-2131.
Materials engineer salary range
Pay for materials engineers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $72,300 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $175,720. The average (mean) wage of $120,250 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 | $72,300 | $34.76 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $88,080 | $42.35 | |
| Median (50th) | $112,860 | $54.26 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $142,720 | $68.61 | |
| 90th percentile | $175,720 | $84.48 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for materials engineers (SOC 17-2131), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Materials engineer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Materials engineers earn the most in New Mexico at $165,600 a year, and the least in Iowa at $64,270. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $165,600 | 450 |
| Maryland | $140,640 | 740 |
| Washington | $139,840 | 1,000 |
| Delaware | $131,320 | 40 |
| Louisiana | $128,670 | 90 |
| California | $128,470 | 3,020 |
| Illinois | $126,620 | 290 |
| New York | $125,900 | 590 |
| Colorado | $124,030 | 810 |
| Alaska | $123,360 | 70 |
| Oregon | $122,850 | 120 |
| Connecticut | $122,300 | 420 |
| South Carolina | $121,610 | 600 |
| Florida | $118,780 | 690 |
| Texas | $117,700 | 1,440 |
| Virginia | $116,720 | 620 |
| Massachusetts | $114,100 | 1,360 |
| Wyoming | $110,970 | 40 |
| Alabama | $107,580 | 650 |
| New Jersey | $106,920 | 260 |
| Arizona | $106,810 | 580 |
| Ohio | $106,510 | 1,790 |
| Minnesota | $106,220 | 150 |
| Idaho | $105,820 | 90 |
| North Carolina | $104,240 | 640 |
| Arkansas | $103,900 | 90 |
| New Hampshire | $101,290 | 70 |
| Indiana | $101,120 | 570 |
| Georgia | $100,840 | 700 |
| Kentucky | $100,620 | 280 |
| Kansas | $100,000 | 270 |
| Oklahoma | $99,950 | 240 |
| Nevada | $99,010 | 100 |
| Missouri | $98,860 | 300 |
| Nebraska | $98,270 | 160 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,030 | 720 |
| Maine | $97,110 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $96,210 | 280 |
| Michigan | $94,050 | 810 |
| Tennessee | $91,940 | 330 |
| Utah | $88,080 | 460 |
| Rhode Island | $87,180 | 50 |
| Mississippi | $78,700 | 100 |
| Montana | $76,030 | 90 |
| Iowa | $64,270 | 200 |
State median wages for materials engineers (SOC 17-2131), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. 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 (New Mexico, $165,600) and the lowest (Iowa, $64,270) 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 $112,860 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 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 $54.26. The middle half of materials engineers earn between $42.35 and $68.61 per hour.
What is the highest materials engineer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of materials engineers earn more than $175,720 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 $112,860. The average (mean) wage of $120,250 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 $112,860 a year, a materials engineer earns above the $50,980 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?
New Mexico has the highest median salary for materials engineers at $165,600 a year. Maryland ($140,640) and Washington ($139,840) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
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.
Related salaries
See more in Engineering & Architecture salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.