Materials Engineer Salary & Career Insights

What is the average salary for a materials engineer in the United States?

$104,100 per year

According to BLS.gov, the average salary for a materials engineer in the United States is $104,100 annually. The lowest salary is $63,340 annually, and the highest is $165,580 annually.

Job Outlook & Work Environment

Job Outlook

🚀 25,000; estimated number of materials engineer jobs. It is estimated that 1,800 new jobs will be added by 2033.

☀️ The projected job outlook for materials engineers is 7%, which is faster than average.

Work Environment

💼 Materials engineers typically work in offices or factories and research laboratories.

🏢 16% of materials engineers work in transportation equipment manufacturing, while 14% work in computer and electronic product manufacturing.

Materials Engineer Salary in Comparison to Patent Law Salaries

How Does a Materials Engineer Salary Stack Up?

Patent attorneys lead the pack with an impressive annual salary of $185,351. Patent agents also earn a solid income, averaging $130,168, which is notably higher than the $104,100 that materials engineers make.

A marine engineer who transitions into a career in patent law to become a patent agent or patent attorney will almost certainly earn more than one who does not.

Top Materials Engineer Salaries by Industry

IndustryAverage Salary
Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$142,780
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services$136,310
Federal, State, and Local Government$134,890
Natural Gas Distribution$132,600
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing$130,210
Annual mean wages.

Salary by Materials Engineer Industry

In the U.S., the average materials engineer salary is $104,100.

Materials engineers in the petroleum and coal products manufacturing industry earn the highest average salary at $142,780. Those in management, scientific, and technical consulting services receive an average salary of $136,310.

The federal, state, and local government, natural gas distribution, and aerospace product and parts manufacturing sectors offer average salaries of $134,890, $132,600, and $130,210, respectively.

Experience & Education

Here are some typical daily activities of a materials engineer:

  • Analyzing Data or Information — Determining the core principles, reasons, or facts by breaking down data into individual components.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Evaluating information and results to select the most effective solutions and address issues.
  • Getting Information — Collecting data through observation, reception, and acquisition from all relevant sources.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Staying current with new technical knowledge and applying it to your work.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Categorizing, estimating, and recognizing differences or similarities to detect changes in situations or events.

Here are the typical skills you need to work as a materials engineer:

  • Active Listening — Paying close attention to others, understanding their points, asking questions when necessary, and avoiding inappropriate interruptions.
  • Complex Problem Solving — Recognizing complex issues, analyzing related information, and developing and evaluating potential solutions for implementation.
  • Reading Comprehension — Grasping the meaning of written sentences and paragraphs in workplace documents.
  • Science — Applying scientific principles and methods to resolve issues.
  • Critical Thinking — Employing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of various solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Knowledge required to work as a materials engineer:

  • Engineering and Technology — Understanding the practical application of engineering science and technology, including using principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment in designing and producing various goods and services.
  • Chemistry — Familiarity with the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances, as well as the chemical processes they undergo. This involves understanding chemical uses, interactions, warning signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • Physics — Insight into physical principles and laws, their interrelationships, and applications for understanding the dynamics of fluids, materials, and atmospheres, along with mechanical, electrical, atomic, and sub-atomic structures and processes.
  • Mathematics — Proficiency in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their practical applications.

Average Education

According to onetonline.org, 48% of materials engineers have a Bachelor’s degree, 33% have a Doctoral degree, and 10% have a Master’s degree.

Top Materials Engineer Salaries by Location

Factors that Impact Pay

Materials engineers in San Jose, CA, earn the highest average salary at $144,910. Boulder, CO, and Houston, TX, follow closely with average salaries of $140,840 and $140,770, respectively. In Washington, DC, and San Francisco, CA, materials engineers receive average salaries of $139,190 and $137,300.

Materials engineers in Maryland earn the highest average salary among the states listed, at $129,750. Washington and Rhode Island follow with average salaries of $125,470 and $125,070, respectively. In Oregon and California, materials engineers receive average salaries of $124,930 and $123,110.

Take a look at the average materials engineer salaries from top-paying cities according to Bls.gov data.

CityAverage Salary
San Jose, CA$144,910
Boulder, CO$140,840
Houston, TX$140,770
Washington, DC$139,190
San Francisco, CA$137,300
Annual mean wages.

Look at the average materials engineer salaries from top-paying states according to Bls.gov data.

StateAverage Salary
Maryland$129,750
Washington$125,470
Rhode Island$125,070
Oregon$124,930
California$123,110
Annual mean wages.

Related Careers

Patent Agent

Patent agents practice patent law before the USPTO.

Average of $130,168/year

Patent Attorney

Patent attorneys can practice patent law in addition to practicing law in jurisdictions where they are currently admitted.

Average of $185,351/year

Mechanical Engineers

Mechanical engineers plan and design tools, machines, and other mechanical equipment.

Average of $99,510/year

Job Openings in the United States


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