Materials Engineers
SOC code 17-2131 · O*NET-SOC 17-2131.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Materials Engineers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$112,860
a year
Hourly
$54.26
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$120,250
$57.81 per hour
Middle 50%
$88,080 – $142,720
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$72,300 – $175,720
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
22,770
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $72,300
- $34.76/hr
- 25th percentile
- $88,080
- $42.35/hr
- Median percentile
- $112,860
- $54.26/hr
- 75th percentile
- $142,720
- $68.61/hr
- 90th percentile
- $175,720
- $84.48/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+6%
Growing faster than average
23,000
jobs in 2024
24,300
projected for 2034
About 1,300 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Guide technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.
How to become a materials engineer
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 80% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree80%
- Doctoral Degree8%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4%
- Master's Degree4%
Common questions
How much does a materials engineer earn?
The national median is $112,860 a year. The full range runs from $72,300 at the 10th percentile to $175,720 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a materials engineer without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is materials engineer in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 6% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Mathematics4.0/5
- Science4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology4.7/5
- Mathematics4.3/5
- Production and Processing4.2/5
- Physics4.1/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Chemistry3.8/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
- Design3.4/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.