Materials Engineers earn a median of $112,860 per year ($54.26/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 7.5% through 2035, with about 1,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 17-2131
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Materials Engineer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $112,860a year, or $54.26/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $72KTop 10% $176K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +7.5%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+7.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +7.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,30023,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202523.8K
- Projected 203525.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 23.8K Projected 2035 25.6K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Associate's4%
- Bachelor's80%
- Master's4%
- Professional degree4%
- Doctorate8%
Highest education held by materials engineers Segment Value Associate's 4% Bachelor's 80% Master's 4% Professional degree 4% Doctorate 8%
Also advertised as: Automotive Sheet Metal Engineer, Ceramic Engineer, Extrusion Engineer, Materials Development Engineer, Materials Research Engineer, Metallurgical Engineer.
Pay
How much do Materials Engineers make?
Every materials engineer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$112,860
Middle half earn $88,080 to $142,720
- 10th
- $72,300
- 25th
- $88,080
- 75th
- $142,720
- 90th
- $175,720
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $72,300 |
| 25th | $88,080 |
| Median | $112,860 |
| 75th | $142,720 |
| 90th | $175,720 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $112,860
- Median hourly wage
- $54.26/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $120,250
- People employed
- 22,770
Versus all US occupations
At $112,860, Materials Engineers earn 121% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $61,880 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 8% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $175,720 or more while the bottom 10% earn $72,300, a gap of 2.4×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 82% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New Mexico pays the most at $165,600, and still leads at $179,586 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Materials Engineers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New Mexico | $165,600 | $179,586 | 450 |
| 2Maryland | $140,640 | $133,995 | 740 |
| 3Washington | $139,840 | $130,676 | 1,000 |
| 4Delaware | $131,320 | $131,573 | 40 |
| 5Louisiana | $128,670 | $145,873 | 90 |
| 6California | $128,470 | $116,031 | 3,020 |
| 7Illinois | $126,620 | $126,673 | 290 |
| 8New York | $125,900 | $116,659 | 590 |
| 9Colorado | $124,030 | $120,357 | 810 |
| 10Alaska | $123,360 | $120,517 | 70 |
Job outlook
Is Materials Engineer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +7.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Materials Engineers | +7.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Materials Engineers to change 7.5% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.1× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,300 openings are projected each year, 5.5% of the 23,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
As demand for new materials and manufacturing processes continues to increase, more materials engineers are expected to be needed to help develop these products and systems. For example, new metal alloys are expected to be developed to make airplanes lighter and more fuel efficient.
Getting in
How to become a Materials Engineer
Materials engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering or a related field. Employers also value practical experience, which students sometimes gain through internships.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as materials engineers.
- Bachelor's Degree80%
- Doctoral Degree8%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4%
- Master's Degree4%
- First Professional Degree4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 80% |
| Doctoral Degree | 8% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 4% |
| Master's Degree | 4% |
| First Professional Degree | 4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Materials Engineer do?
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.
Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a range of products. They study the properties and structures of metals, polymers, and other substances to develop new materials. They also help select materials for specific products and identify ways to use existing materials.
Day-to-day tasks
- Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
- Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
- Plan and implement laboratory operations to develop material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards.
- Guide technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.
- Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
- Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists.
- Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
- Review new product plans, and make recommendations for material selection, based on design objectives such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most materials engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where materials engineers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Transportation equipment manufacturing17%
- Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences10%
- Engineering services9%
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals7%
- Computer and electronic product manufacturing6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | 17% |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 10% |
| Engineering services | 9% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 7% |
| Computer and electronic product manufacturing | 6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Mathematics4.0
- Science4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Learning3.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 4.0 |
| Science | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6
- Quality Control Analysis3.4
- Operations Analysis3.3
- Systems Analysis3.3
- Systems Evaluation3.3
- Operations Monitoring3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.4 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.3 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.3 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.3 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Process mapping and design software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Materials Engineer?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Materials Engineer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic5.9
- Investigative5.8
- Conventional4.1
- Artistic2.5
- Enterprising2.1
- Social1.4
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Materials Engineer
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with materials engineers highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Materials Engineer$112,860
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Materials Engineer | $112,860 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within materials engineer
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Materials Engineer appears on
Questions
Materials Engineer: frequently asked questions
How much do Materials Engineers make?
Materials Engineers earn a median of $112,860 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 121% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $54.26/hr. The middle half earn between $88,080 and $142,720. The top 10% earn $175,720 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Materials Engineer?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Materials Engineers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 80.0% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Materials Engineer a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 7.5% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Materials Engineer do?
Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a range of products. A core O*NET task: conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Materials Engineers the most?
The highest state medians for Materials Engineers are New Mexico ($165,600), Maryland ($140,640), Washington ($139,840) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Materials Engineer?
O*NET scores Materials Engineers highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTP, ISTJ, INTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.