Materials Engineers
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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 800 | $97,100 | $46.68 | |
| Alaska | 50 | $122,170 | $58.74 | |
| Arizona | 320 | $101,550 | $48.82 | |
| Arkansas | 100 | $79,740 | $38.34 | |
| California | 2,480 | $112,760 | $54.21 | |
| Colorado | 560 | $107,410 | $51.64 | |
| Connecticut | 320 | $99,910 | $48.04 | |
| Florida | 1,060 | $92,360 | $44.41 | |
| Georgia | 400 | $88,300 | $42.45 | |
| Idaho | 180 | $104,070 | $50.03 | |
| Illinois | 250 | $91,450 | $43.96 | |
| Indiana | 390 | $81,290 | $39.08 | |
| Iowa | 210 | $92,160 | $44.31 | |
| Kansas | 190 | $99,710 | $47.94 | |
| Kentucky | 390 | $94,570 | $45.47 | |
| Louisiana | 120 | $104,960 | $50.46 | |
| Maine | 70 | $94,540 | $45.45 | |
| Maryland | 900 | $115,430 | $55.50 | |
| Massachusetts | 410 | $106,830 | $51.36 | |
| Michigan | 650 | $82,980 | $39.90 | |
| Minnesota | 430 | $105,050 | $50.50 | |
| Mississippi | 140 | $89,210 | $42.89 | |
| Missouri | 420 | $96,260 | $46.28 | |
| Montana | 60 | $72,220 | $34.72 | |
| Nebraska | 200 | $84,700 | $40.72 | |
| Nevada | 120 | $76,030 | $36.55 | |
| New Hampshire | 40 | $103,480 | $49.75 | |
| New Jersey | 350 | $106,720 | $51.31 | |
| New York | 600 | $111,440 | $53.58 | |
| North Carolina | 240 | $103,060 | $49.55 | |
| Ohio | 1,850 | $94,470 | $45.42 | |
| Oklahoma | 310 | $85,690 | $41.20 | |
| Oregon | 390 | $109,170 | $52.49 | |
| Pennsylvania | 1,170 | $99,890 | $48.03 | |
| South Carolina | 730 | $84,070 | $40.42 | |
| Tennessee | 550 | $96,010 | $46.16 | |
| Texas | 1,420 | $114,930 | $55.25 | |
| Utah | 390 | $91,350 | $43.92 | |
| Virginia | 490 | $106,540 | $51.22 | |
| Washington | 750 | $132,110 | $63.51 | |
| West Virginia | 60 | $94,620 | $45.49 | |
| Wisconsin | 440 | $82,300 | $39.57 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of inorganic non-metallic materials, such as porcelains, cements, industrial ceramics, ceramic superconductors, abrasive, and related materials and systems.
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and materials science principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of materials and related processes used in manufacturing in a wide variety of settings; the synthesis of new industrial materials, including marrying and bonding composites; analysis of materials requirements and specifications; and related problems of system design dependent on materials factors.
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and metallurgical principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of metal components of structural, load-bearing, power, transmission, and moving systems; and the analysis of engineering problems such as stress, creep, failure, alloy behavior, environmental fluctuations, stability, electromagnetic and thermodynamic characteristics, optimal manufacturing processes, and related design considerations.
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems to test and manufacture fibers and fiber products, both synthetic and natural; to develop new and improved fibers, textiles and their uses; and to the analysis of related engineering problems such as structural factors, molecular synthesis, chemical manufacturing, weaves, strength and stress, useful life, dyes, and applications to composite systems.
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of synthesized macromolecular compounds and their application to specific engineering uses, including the development of industrial materials with tailored properties, the design of lightweight structural components, the use of liquid or solid polymers, and the analysis and control of polymerization processes.
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$101,950 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Bachelor's degreeTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as materials engineers.
- Less than high school 1%
- High school graduate 4%
- College dropout 10%
- Associate’s degree 9%
- Bachelor’s degree 51%
- Master’s degree 19%
- Doctorate degree 6%
Similar Careers
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Materials Scientists$104,790 per year Average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Chemical Engineers$121,840 per year Average salaryVery HighJob growth rate
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Industrial Engineers$95,200 per year Average salaryVery HighJob growth rate
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Mechanical Engineers$97,000 per year Average salarySlowJob growth rate