Materials Engineers Salary by State
The national median pay for materials engineers is $112,860 a year. By state, it ranges from $64,270 in Iowa to $165,600 in New Mexico.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $72,300
- 25th percentile
- $88,080
- Median
- $112,860
- 75th percentile
- $142,720
- Top 10%
- $175,720
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 22,770 jobs.
Median pay in 45 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $165,600 | +47% | $126,640 | $204,400 | 450 |
| 2 | Maryland | $140,640 | +25% | $79,470 | $195,190 | 740 |
| 3 | Washington | $139,840 | +24% | $92,570 | $199,250 | 1,000 |
| 4 | Delaware | $131,320 | +16% | $100,620 | $182,400 | 40 |
| 5 | Louisiana | $128,670 | +14% | $80,860 | $171,140 | 90 |
| 6 | California | $128,470 | +14% | $82,460 | $183,880 | 3,020 |
| 7 | Illinois | $126,620 | +12% | $71,780 | $165,710 | 290 |
| 8 | New York | $125,900 | +12% | $73,920 | $168,120 | 590 |
| 9 | Colorado | $124,030 | +10% | $64,710 | $180,500 | 810 |
| 10 | Alaska | $123,360 | +9% | $79,970 | $154,150 | 70 |
| 11 | Oregon | $122,850 | +9% | $79,040 | $162,600 | 120 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $122,300 | +8% | $88,330 | $155,440 | 420 |
| 13 | South Carolina | $121,610 | +8% | $75,550 | $158,940 | 600 |
| 14 | Florida | $118,780 | +5% | $73,370 | $166,490 | 690 |
| 15 | Texas | $117,700 | +4% | $67,690 | $187,460 | 1,440 |
| 16 | Virginia | $116,720 | +3% | $77,490 | $170,210 | 620 |
| 17 | Massachusetts | $114,100 | +1% | $77,980 | $167,180 | 1,360 |
| 18 | Wyoming | $110,970 | −2% | $65,250 | $120,830 | 40 |
| 19 | Alabama | $107,580 | −5% | $69,260 | $168,580 | 650 |
| 20 | New Jersey | $106,920 | −5% | $82,120 | $170,140 | 260 |
| 21 | Arizona | $106,810 | −5% | $81,990 | $165,090 | 580 |
| 22 | Ohio | $106,510 | −6% | $76,030 | $169,300 | 1,790 |
| 23 | Minnesota | $106,220 | −6% | $84,760 | $175,320 | 150 |
| 24 | Idaho | $105,820 | −6% | $57,250 | $154,080 | 90 |
| 25 | North Carolina | $104,240 | −8% | $78,160 | $153,570 | 640 |
| 26 | Arkansas | $103,900 | −8% | $80,120 | $159,440 | 90 |
| 27 | New Hampshire | $101,290 | −10% | $73,660 | $159,180 | 70 |
| 28 | Indiana | $101,120 | −10% | $67,430 | $131,980 | 570 |
| 29 | Georgia | $100,840 | −11% | $71,830 | $159,560 | 700 |
| 30 | Kentucky | $100,620 | −11% | $84,610 | $132,800 | 280 |
| 31 | Kansas | $100,000 | −11% | $83,460 | $164,110 | 270 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $99,950 | −11% | $54,990 | $150,640 | 240 |
| 33 | Nevada | $99,010 | −12% | $66,150 | $155,190 | 100 |
| 34 | Missouri | $98,860 | −12% | $65,870 | $135,280 | 300 |
| 35 | Nebraska | $98,270 | −13% | $57,030 | $135,400 | 160 |
| 36 | Pennsylvania | $98,030 | −13% | $62,790 | $173,530 | 720 |
| 37 | Maine | $97,110 | −14% | $72,130 | $138,440 | 100 |
| 38 | Wisconsin | $96,210 | −15% | $65,160 | $127,820 | 280 |
| 39 | Michigan | $94,050 | −17% | $62,640 | $139,690 | 810 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $91,940 | −19% | $63,760 | $149,300 | 330 |
| 41 | Utah | $88,080 | −22% | $69,180 | $140,620 | 460 |
| 42 | Rhode Island | $87,180 | −23% | $78,270 | $140,450 | 50 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $78,700 | −30% | $62,000 | $150,890 | 100 |
| 44 | Montana | $76,030 | −33% | $59,860 | $104,480 | 90 |
| 45 | Iowa | $64,270 | −43% | $62,390 | $115,140 | 200 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Materials Engineers salary questions
Which state pays materials engineers the most?
New Mexico, with a median of $165,600 a year (+47% vs. the national median of $112,860). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays materials engineers the least?
Iowa, with a median of $64,270 a year (−43% vs. national).
Where do most materials engineers work?
California has the most jobs, about 3,020, with a median of $128,470.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.