Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Materials engineers work in a field that combines science, mathematics, and creativity to focus on materials and their properties. Nationally, this occupation has a median annual salary of $108,310 with employment of about 23,000, indicating a relatively focused but established profession. Projected employment growth of 5.7% and around 2,000 annual openings suggest ongoing demand for new and replacement workers. The role draws on strong critical and analytical thinking, as well as mechanical knowledge and comfort with computers and information technology. Communication skills in writing, reading, speaking, and listening also play a role, alongside project management and leadership abilities. For people interested in related paths, similar occupations include bioengineers and biomedical engineers, food scientists and technologists, engineers (all other), agricultural engineers, and soil and plant scientists. Overall, this career offers a combination of technical depth, problem-solving, and structured opportunities across several states and metro areas.
Materials engineers see substantial earning potential at the national level, with a median annual salary of $108,310. Several states stand out for higher typical pay. Washington reports a median salary of $139,840, while California, New York, and Colorado show median salaries of $128,470, $125,900, and $124,030 respectively. Among the top metro areas, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA leads with a median salary of $156,730, and the New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro follows at $147,490. Other strong metros include Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV at $140,640 and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA at $129,480. These figures indicate that location can significantly influence earnings within this career, with certain states and metro areas offering notably higher median pay than the national median.
Materials engineers have national employment of about 23,000 and a projected employment growth rate of 5.7%. This same 5.7% projected growth appears across the highlighted states and metro areas, suggesting a consistent forecast in the places identified with higher opportunity scores. About 2,000 annual openings are expected, reflecting both new job creation and the need to replace workers who leave the occupation. The combination of steady projected growth and a defined number of openings points to a career path with ongoing hiring activity rather than a static job market. People considering this field can expect opportunities distributed nationally, with specific concentrations in certain states and metros. For those exploring alternatives with related technical or scientific focus, similar occupations include bioengineers and biomedical engineers, food scientists and technologists, engineers (all other), agricultural engineers, and soil and plant scientists.
Geography plays a meaningful role in opportunities for materials engineers. Among states, California has the highest employment (3,020) and a median salary of $128,470, along with a CareerGPS opportunity score of 67.38, the highest among the listed states. Massachusetts and New York also show strong opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78, with median salaries of $114,100 and $125,900 respectively. Washington and Colorado combine high median salaries—$139,840 and $124,030—with opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA stands out with an opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $156,730. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro follows closely with an opportunity score of 77.27 and a median salary of $147,490. Other notable metros include San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA; Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV; and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH, each offering a distinct combination of employment levels, salaries, and opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for materials engineers is a bachelor’s degree. This formal education underpins a broad skill set that includes science and mathematics, which are central to understanding and working with materials. Critical and analytical thinking is also important, supporting problem-solving and evaluation of complex information. Creativity and innovation are highlighted, indicating that the role often benefits from original approaches and new ideas. Project management and leadership skills appear on the key skill list, suggesting that materials engineers may often coordinate work, timelines, or teams. Comfort with computers and information technology is another core element, along with strong writing, reading, speaking, and listening abilities for effective communication. Mechanical knowledge rounds out the profile. For those whose interests align with related disciplines, similar occupations include bioengineers and biomedical engineers, food scientists and technologists, engineers (all other), agricultural engineers, and soil and plant scientists.
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