Materials Engineers

Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed

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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $112,860/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$72,300$175,720

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +5.7% projected growth, 2024–2034 — faster than average.

About 1,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionScienceComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingMathematicsSpeakingWritingActive LearningJudgment and Decision Making

Top knowledge areas

Engineering and TechnologyChemistryPhysicsMathematicsProduction and ProcessingEnglish LanguageDesignComputers and Electronics

Core tasks

• 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.

• Modify properties of metal alloys, using thermal and mechanical treatments.

• Determine appropriate methods for fabricating and joining materials.

• Guide technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Materials Engineers?

The median pay for Materials Engineers is $112,860 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Materials Engineers?

Employment for Materials Engineers is projected to change +5.7% from 2024 to 2034 - faster than average.

What education is typically required for Materials Engineers?

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Materials Engineers?

About 1,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.