Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, Maine
$108,500 / year
≈ $9,050 per month · $52.16 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for Maine · median $100,500
25th percentile
$90,000Average
$108,50075th percentile
$123,500
$90,000Average
$108,50075th percentile
$123,500
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Materials Engineer salary by state
Alabama$118,500
Alaska$121,000
Arizona$120,500
Arkansas$116,000
California$135,500
Colorado$130,000
Connecticut$124,500
Delaware$141,500
Florida$122,000
Georgia$112,000
Idaho$102,000
Illinois$126,500
Indiana$107,000
Iowa$85,000
Kansas$120,500
Kentucky$110,500
Louisiana$130,000
Maine$108,500
Maryland$145,500
Massachusetts$124,500
Michigan$102,500
Minnesota$127,000
Mississippi$98,000
Missouri$105,500
Montana$82,500
Nebraska$104,000
Nevada$111,000
New Hampshire$110,500
New Jersey$121,500
New Mexico$179,000
New York$128,000
North Carolina$114,500
Ohio$120,500
Oklahoma$105,500
Oregon$127,500
Pennsylvania$110,500
Rhode Island$101,500
South Carolina$120,000
Tennessee$106,000
Texas$131,000
Utah$103,500
Virginia$122,000
Washington$154,500
Wisconsin$98,500
Wyoming$113,500
About this role
Materials Engineer is a professional role within the function in the Architecture and Engineering job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Materials Engineers do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
- Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
- Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
- Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
- 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.
Top skills: Science Reading Comprehension Complex Problem Solving Active Listening Critical Thinking Writing
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Materials Engineer pay by experience level
Entry level$75,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$91,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$117,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$147,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$182,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+5.7%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,500
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Materials Engineer salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
5,770 workers
$129,500Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
4,130 workers
$133,000Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
3,020 workers
$119,500Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
2,920 workers
$144,000Scientific Research and Development Services
2,530 workers
$140,000Management of Companies and Enterprises
1,740 workers
$131,500Management of Companies and Enterprises
1,740 workers
$131,500Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
1,600 workers
$144,000Primary Metal Manufacturing
1,510 workers
$102,000Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
1,380 workers
$126,000National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Materials Engineer pays 15% above the average across 59 roles in the Architecture and Engineering job family (family average $108,000).
Similar-paying roles in Architecture and Engineering
Electrical Engineer$129,500
Automotive Engineer$117,500
Environmental Engineer$117,000
Chemical Engineer$134,500
Civil Engineer$112,500
Careers related to Materials Engineer
Materials Scientist$130,500
Chemical Engineer$134,500
Industrial Engineer$113,500
Fuel Cell Engineer$117,500
Robotics Engineer$129,500
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Materials Engineer make?
The average base salary for a Materials Engineer in the United States is $124,500 per year, or about $59.86 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $91,000 and $147,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Architecture and Engineering roles?
The Architecture and Engineering job family averages $108,000 across 59 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
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