Jobs Similar to Materials Engineers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to materials engineers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Materials Scientists, Chemical Engineers and Aerospace Engineers.
Materials Engineers: $112,860 median pay · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Materials Engineers) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Materials Scientists | 86% | $117,790+4% | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Chemical EngineersSame group | 85% | $125,040+11% | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Aerospace EngineersSame group | 84% | $134,960+20% | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Nanosystems EngineersSame group | 84% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 5 | Automotive EngineersSame group | 82% | $104,110Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Validation EngineersSame group | 82% | $102,440Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Microsystems EngineersSame group | 82% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Nuclear EngineersSame group | 82% | $133,970+19% | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Mechatronics EngineersSame group | 81% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Mechanical EngineersSame group | 81% | $104,110−8% | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Wind Energy EngineersSame group | 81% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Industrial EngineersSame group | 80% | $102,440−9% | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety EngineersSame group | 80% | $106,220−6% | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Agricultural EngineersSame group | 79% | $98,590−13% | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Electrical EngineersSame group | 79% | $120,630+7% | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 79% | $66,120−41% | Training or associate |
| 17 | Fuel Cell EngineersSame group | 79% | $104,110Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Energy Engineers, Except Wind and SolarSame group | 79% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Water/Wastewater EngineersSame group | 78% | $100,840Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Fire-Prevention and Protection EngineersSame group | 78% | $115,160Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
- 1Materials Scientists
86% similar · $117,790 (+4%) · Bachelor's degree
- 2Chemical Engineers
85% similar · $125,040 (+11%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 3Aerospace Engineers
84% similar · $134,960 (+20%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 4Nanosystems Engineers
84% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5Automotive Engineers
82% similar · $104,110 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 6Validation Engineers
82% similar · $102,440 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 7Microsystems Engineers
82% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Nuclear Engineers
82% similar · $133,970 (+19%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 9Mechatronics Engineers
81% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 10Mechanical Engineers
81% similar · $104,110 (−8%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 11Wind Energy Engineers
81% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 12Industrial Engineers
80% similar · $102,440 (−9%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 13Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
80% similar · $106,220 (−6%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 14Agricultural Engineers
79% similar · $98,590 (−13%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 15Electrical Engineers
79% similar · $120,630 (+7%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 16Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
79% similar · $66,120 (−41%) · Training or associate
- 17Fuel Cell Engineers
79% similar · $104,110 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 18Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
79% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 19Water/Wastewater Engineers
78% similar · $100,840 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 20Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
78% similar · $115,160 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than materials engineers.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for materials engineers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where materials engineers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Materials Scientists (96)
- Commercial and Industrial Designers (80)
- Chemists (79)
- Food Scientists and Technologists (78)
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians (78)
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers (77)
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers (75)
- Hydrologists (75)
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians (73)
- Mechanical Drafters (73)
Questions about jobs like materials engineers
What jobs are most similar to materials engineers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Materials Scientists (86% similar), Chemical Engineers (85% similar), Aerospace Engineers (84% similar), Nanosystems Engineers (84% similar) and Automotive Engineers (82% similar).
Which jobs like materials engineers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Aerospace Engineers ($134,960, +20%; usually a bachelor's degree), Nuclear Engineers ($133,970, +19%; usually a bachelor's degree) and Chemical Engineers ($125,040, +11%; usually a bachelor's degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with materials engineers ($112,860). Without more preparation than materials engineers usually need: Aerospace Engineers, Nuclear Engineers and Chemical Engineers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.