Materials Engineer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Materials Engineers Make?
Materials Engineers earn a median annual salary of $108,310 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $68,040 at the 10th percentile to $172,000 at the 90th percentile — a range of $103,960. The highest-paying state is Washington at $140,810.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $68,040 |
| 25th percentile | $85,820 |
| Median (50th) | $108,310 |
| 75th percentile | $138,370 |
| 90th percentile | $172,000 |
Materials Engineer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $140,810 |
| Maryland | $130,920 |
| Delaware | $127,640 |
| California | $127,550 |
| Oregon | $127,360 |
| New York | $121,980 |
| Colorado | $121,430 |
| Alaska | $120,540 |
| Texas | $116,170 |
| Wyoming | $114,370 |
| Massachusetts | $111,030 |
| South Carolina | $110,730 |
| Alabama | $110,150 |
| Tennessee | $108,670 |
| Arizona | $108,260 |
| Minnesota | $106,430 |
| Virginia | $106,290 |
| Ohio | $106,060 |
| Illinois | $105,980 |
| New Hampshire | $105,840 |
| Kentucky | $105,090 |
| Connecticut | $104,390 |
| Florida | $104,040 |
| Idaho | $101,750 |
| Oklahoma | $101,100 |
| Louisiana | $100,990 |
| Montana | $100,600 |
| Arkansas | $100,330 |
| New Jersey | $100,240 |
| Missouri | $99,160 |
| Indiana | $98,290 |
| West Virginia | $97,960 |
| Nevada | $97,580 |
| Georgia | $97,380 |
| Kansas | $97,200 |
| Michigan | $96,660 |
| Wisconsin | $96,650 |
| North Carolina | $95,640 |
| Vermont | $93,210 |
| Rhode Island | $92,180 |
| Mississippi | $90,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $89,160 |
| Maine | $89,140 |
| Utah | $85,720 |
| Nebraska | $84,540 |
| Iowa | $76,640 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Materials Engineers
Materials Engineer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$68,040 – $85,820 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$108,310 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$138,370 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $172,000+ |
How to Earn More as a Materials Engineer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Materials Engineers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $151,260 — $42,950 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($138,370) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Materials Engineer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Materials Engineerthis career | $108,310 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $167,740 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineer | $106,950 |
| Chemical Engineer | $121,860 |
| Electrical Engineer | $111,910 |
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SOC: 17-2131.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.