Materials Engineers Career, Salary and Skills
Materials Engineers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $112,860 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 22,770. Wage data is published for 135 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
17-2131.00
Job zone
4
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$112,860
Hourly median
$54.26
Employment
22,770
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 4.00 | 4.38 |
| Writing | 4.00 | 4.50 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.00 | 5.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.00 | 4.25 |
| Science | 4.00 | 4.88 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.00 | 4.38 |
| Speaking | 4.00 | 4.50 |
| Active Listening | 4.00 | 4.38 |
| Active Learning | 3.75 | 4.75 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.62 | 4.00 |
Typical tasks
- Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
- Review new product plans, and make recommendations for material selection, based on design objectives such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.
- Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
- Solve problems in a number of engineering fields, such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, nuclear, and aerospace.
- Plan and implement laboratory operations to develop material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards.
- Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
- Determine appropriate methods for fabricating and joining materials.
- Perform managerial functions, such as preparing proposals and budgets, analyzing labor costs, and writing reports.
Technology
- ANSYS Multiphysics
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- C++
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Digital image correlation DIC software
- Fault detection isolation and recovery FDIR software
- Finite element analysis software
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Fused deposition modeling FDM rapid prototyping systems
- Graphics software
- IBM Notes
- Image analysis systems
- Microsoft Access
Materials Engineers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Materials Engineers Salary in CAMedian $128,470 · Employment 3,020
- Materials Engineers Salary in OHMedian $106,510 · Employment 1,790
- Materials Engineers Salary in TXMedian $117,700 · Employment 1,440
- Materials Engineers Salary in MAMedian $114,100 · Employment 1,360
- Materials Engineers Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $125,200 · Employment 1,250
- Materials Engineers Salary in Boston, MAMedian $111,480 · Employment 1,020
- Materials Engineers Salary in WAMedian $139,840 · Employment 1,000
- Materials Engineers Salary in Seattle, WAMedian $156,130 · Employment 820
- Materials Engineers Salary in MIMedian $94,050 · Employment 810
- Materials Engineers Salary in COMedian $124,030 · Employment 810
- Materials Engineers Salary in MDMedian $140,640 · Employment 740
- Materials Engineers Salary in PAMedian $98,030 · Employment 720
Related careers
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- Mechatronics EngineersNational median $122,930
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and TechniciansNational median $78,190
- Microsystems EngineersNational median $122,930
- ChemistsNational median $91,240
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and TechniciansNational median $74,510
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.