Materials Engineers
Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a wide range of products.
Is materials engineers a good career?
It scores 28/100 and ranks #154 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($112,860 vs $61,390)
Possible tradeoffs
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
What materials engineers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. materials engineers earn between $88,080 and $142,720 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live materials engineers jobs
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- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow faster than average through 2034.
Education
High school students interested in becoming a materials engineer should take classes in math, such as algebra, trigonometry, and calculus; science, such as biology, chemistry, and physics; and computer programming.
Entry-level jobs for materials engineers typically require a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering or other engineering fields. Some jobs, such as those in research and development, require a master’s degree or Ph.D.
Bachelor’s degree programs usually include classroom and laboratory courses, such as calculus, chemistry, and the structure, processing, and properties of materials.
Some colleges and universities offer internships and cooperative programs in partnership with industry employers. In these programs, students gain practical experience while completing their education.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Licensure is not required for entry-level materials engineer positions. Experienced engineers may obtain a Professional Engineering (PE) license, which allows them to oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public.
State licensure typically requires a bachelor’s or higher degree in engineering, a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, several years of relevant work experience, and a passing score on the PE exam.
Each state issues its own license. Most states recognize licensure from other states, if the licensing state’s requirements meet or exceed their own licensure requirements. Several states require continuing education for engineers to keep their licenses.
Some materials engineers opt to earn professional certification, which can help to demonstrate competency.
Advancement
Materials engineers may advance to become technical specialists or to supervise a team of engineers and technicians. Some may become engineering managers or move into other managerial positions.
Important qualities
Analytical skills. Materials engineers must evaluate various materials and their properties and determine how best to use them.
Computer skills. Materials engineers use and write code for computational and machine learning software, which may help guide material selection and predict the properties of materials.
Math skills. Materials engineers use calculus, statistics, and other advanced topics in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.
Problem-solving skills. Materials engineers must be able to anticipate and identify problems, such as those related to manufacturing processes, and to devise solutions.
Communication skills. Materials engineers must convey information clearly, such as when working on a team or when writing reports.
Related occupations
How much do materials engineers make?
The national median wage is $112,860 a year, with the middle half earning between $88,080 and $142,720 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is materials engineers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 28 of 100 and ranks #154 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +5.7% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a materials engineer?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree.
Where do materials engineers earn the most?
Among states, New Mexico pays the highest median ($165,600). Local pay for every state and metro is below.