How Much Does a Material Science Engineer Make? (2025)
Material science engineers are responsible for planning the most cost-effective utilization of materials by applying knowledge in material science, recommending engineering and manufacturing changes, and attaining design objectives in the most economical manner possible.
They examine blueprints and specifications to determine the appropriate materials needed to achieve successful completion of projects. Materials engineers also monitor a material’s performance and deterioration, conduct failure analysis and develop ways to overcome them, and assess the environmental impact of the processing of materials.
This salary guide will thoroughly discuss the overview of a material science engineer salary, as well as factors that affect their compensation, necessary steps to have higher pay, and some related frequently asked questions.
What is the Average Material Science Engineer’s Salary?
As of July 11, 2025, the average material science engineer salary in the United States is $76,601 per year. The compensation usually ranges from $60,935 to $83,670, with most material science engineers earning around $68,401 to $80,301.
2025 Average Salary for Material Science Engineers: $76,601 per year ($37 per hour)
The average material science engineer salary per month is $6,383 while the average weekly rate is $1,473.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $29 | $1,172 | $5,078 | $60,935 |
| 25th Percentile | $33 | $1,315 | $5,700 | $68,401 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $37 | $1,473 | $6,383 | $76,601 |
| 75th Percentile | $39 | $1,544 | $6,692 | $80,301 |
| 90th Percentile | $40 | $1,609 | $6,972 | $83,670 |
Material Science Engineer Salaries State by State
Material science engineer salaries vary in each state due to key factors like living costs, local economies, and industry presence.
The state with the highest average annual material science engineer salary is the District of Columbia with $84,901, followed by California with $84,501 and Massachusetts with $83,401. Meanwhile, the state with the lowest average annual salary is Mississippi with $68,401, followed by West Virginia with $69,001 and Arkansas with $69,201.
| States | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $83,001 |
| Alabama | $70,401 |
| Arkansas | $69,201 |
| Arizona | $74,701 |
| California | $84,501 |
| Colorado | $78,201 |
| Connecticut | $81,901 |
| District of Columbia | $84,901 |
| Delaware | $77,601 |
| Florida | $72,501 |
| Georgia | $73,901 |
| Hawaii | $80,101 |
| Iowa | $73,401 |
| Idaho | $71,601 |
| Illinois | $78,101 |
| Indiana | $73,601 |
| Kansas | $73,001 |
| Kentucky | $72,101 |
| Louisiana | $72,901 |
| Massachusetts | $83,401 |
| Maryland | $79,001 |
| Maine | $74,701 |
| Michigan | $75,501 |
| Minnesota | $78,401 |
| Missouri | $72,801 |
| Mississippi | $68,401 |
| Montana | $72,401 |
| North Carolina | $72,801 |
| North Dakota | $75,701 |
| Nebraska | $72,201 |
| New Hampshire | $77,501 |
| New Jersey | $83,101 |
| New Mexico | $71,001 |
| Nevada | $75,901 |
| New York | $81,501 |
| Ohio | $74,601 |
| Oklahoma | $70,901 |
| Oregon | $77,801 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,301 |
| Rhode Island | $79,501 |
| South Carolina | $71,801 |
| South Dakota | $69,701 |
| Tennessee | $71,601 |
| Texas | $74,801 |
| Utah | $73,401 |
| Virginia | $77,201 |
| Vermont | $75,201 |
| Washington | $83,101 |
| Wisconsin | $75,401 |
| West Virginia | $69,001 |
| Wyoming | $73,501 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Material Science Engineers?
The cities that give the best salary for material science engineers are shown in the table below. With an average annual compensation of $96,701, San Jose, California is the best-paying city.
| Cities | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $96,701 ($46 per hour) |
| San Francisco, California | $95,701 ($46 per hour) |
| Oakland, California | $93,601 ($45 per hour) |
| New York, New York | $88,801 ($43 per hour) |
| Queens Village, New York | $88,201 ($42 per hour) |
| Paramus, New Jersey | $87,601 ($42 per hour) |
How Does Experience Affect Material Science Engineer Salaries?
Just like any profession, more experience will lead to higher pay when it comes to material science engineer salary.
With less than a year of experience, an entry level position will have an average starting salary of $76,097. An intermediate level materials engineer with 1 to 2 years of experience gets $76,811.
A senior level with 2 to 4 years of experience will have $77,640, while the specialist level with 5 to 8 years of experience usually gets $77,805 on average. The most experienced analyst is on the expert level with over 8 years of practice, earning $77,916.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Material Science Engineer | $76,097 |
| Intermediate Level Material Science Engineer | $76,811 |
| Senior Level Material Science Engineer | $77,640 |
| Specialist Level Material Science Engineer | $77,805 |
| Expert Level Material Science Engineer | $77,916 |
How to Increase Salary as a Material Science Engineer?
Material science engineers usually have a bachelor’s degree in material science and engineering, or related engineering fields. Companies may prefer hiring engineering graduates from programs accredited by a professional association, such as the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Studying materials engineering, students must have a good understanding of majors and classes about math, science, and computer programming subjects, such as algebra, trigonometry, biology, chemistry, and physics. In college, gaining complete internships and cooperative-engineering programs helps engineers gain hands-on experience.
When all these qualifications are met, there are ways that can increase the salary of material science engineers. Here are some of them:
Material Science Engineer Advancements
- Earn a license
Materials engineers with at least 4 years of experience, a degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program, and passing scores in Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Professional Engineering (PE) exams can apply for a state licensure. This allows engineers to sign off on projects and provide direct service to the public, which increases their earning potential. - Gain a certification
Certifications and additional training in the field of metallography, which relates to the structure of metals and alloys, can be gained from ASM International and other material science organizations. - Get higher education
There are colleges and universities that offer a 5-year program for bachelor’s and master’s degrees that allow more work and earning opportunities for materials engineers, such as postsecondary teaching or research and development. - Gain experience
Junior engineers can gain expertise and knowledge through supervision of senior engineers and gradually advance on more challenging projects to exercise independence and establish designs, solve problems, and make decisions. -
Apply in high-paying sectors
Industries differ in compensation, so you must choose high-paying large companies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the top industries with high median annual wages for material science engineers:- Government: $133,700
- Transportation equipment manufacturing: $126,350
- Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences: $118,760
- Computer and electronic product manufacturing: $113,200
- Engineering services: $105,590
Material Science Engineer Skills
According to Salary.com’s Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, manufacturing processes skills give the highest increase in salary by 6.62%, followed by skills in mechanical engineering at 6.32% and lean manufacturing at 6.26%.
Other significant skills with high salary increases are manufacturing engineering (5.39%), computer-aided design or CAD (5.33%), and continuous improvement (4.41%).
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Processes | 23.96% | +6.62% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 16.90% | +6.32% |
| Lean Manufacturing | 14.46% | +6.26% |
| Manufacturing Engineering | 24.69% | +5.39% |
| Computer-Aided Design (CAD) | 21.41% | +5.33% |
| Continuous Improvement | 26.46% | +4.41% |
What are the FAQs About Material Science Engineer Salaries?
Here are some common questions about material science engineer salary:
What does a material science engineer do?
Material science engineers are responsible for developing, processing, and testing materials for a broad range of products. To produce new materials that achieve mechanical, chemical, and electrical aerospace requirements, materials engineers study the properties, principles, and structure of various substances, like metals, plastics, and composite materials.
Moreover, they prepare budgets and proposals, assess labor costs, analyze data, and write reports. Materials engineers also monitor a material’s performance and deterioration, conduct failure analysis and develop ways to overcome them, and assess the environmental impact of the processing of materials.
Are materials engineers well paid?
Yes, materials engineers are well paid, with an average annual salary of $76,601 or $37 per hour. The yearly range is $60,935 to $83,670, the monthly range is $5,078 to $6,972, the weekly range is $1,172 to $1,609, while the hourly range is $29 to $40.
Is there a demand for materials engineers?
Yes, there is a demand for materials engineers. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a projected 7% employment growth for materials engineering occupations from 2023 to 2033.
There are also an estimated 1,700 openings for materials engineering jobs each year. This is due to the need to replace workers who transfer to other fields or retire. The career demand for materials engineers is due to their relevance in various industries, such as aerospace, biomedical, electronics, and energy sectors.
