Materials Engineers Salary (2025)
Based on 22,770 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $72,300 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $88,080 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $112,860 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $142,720 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $175,720 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$72K
25th
$88K
Median
$113K
75th
$143K
90th
$176K
Highest Paying States for Materials Engineers
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $173,000 |
| Washington | $149,070 |
| Maryland | $140,770 |
| Delaware | $136,900 |
| California | $131,090 |
| Texas | $126,480 |
| Colorado | $125,720 |
| Louisiana | $125,450 |
| New York | $123,860 |
| Oregon | $123,400 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Materials Engineers salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is New Mexico at an average of $173,000 per year, while Oregon has an average of $123,400 — a difference of $49,600. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Materials Engineers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 22,770 workers were employed as Materials Engineerss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Architecture and Engineering Occupations. The annual mean wage of $120,250 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 17-2131