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.
Materials Engineers
SOC: 17-2131 O*NET: 17-2131.00
Median Salary
$108,310
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.7%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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.
What does a Materials Engineers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$68,040
10th percentile
Early Career
$85,820
25th percentile
Median
$108,310
50th percentile
Experienced
$138,370
75th percentile
Top Earners
$172,000
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$68,040
25th
$85,820
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$108,310
Mean: $116,380
75th
$138,370
90th
$172,000
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $103,960 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $85,820 and $138,370
- •Salary spread is 48.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 22,770 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:23,000
Top Industries
Manufacturing52.6%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services24.5%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services24.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.7%
Annual Openings:1,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)23,000
Current
2034 (Projected)24,300
+5.7%
+1,300
Employment Change
+5.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Materials Engineers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
California
2,760 jobs$127,5501.03x
Ohio
1,770 jobs$106,0602.17x
Texas
1,730 jobs$116,1700.84x
Washington
1,240 jobs$140,8102.37x
Massachusetts
1,060 jobs$111,0301.98x
Michigan
1,030 jobs$96,6601.59x
Maryland
960 jobs$130,9202.36x
Pennsylvania
780 jobs$89,1600.87x
North Carolina
770 jobs$95,6401.07x
New York
750 jobs$121,9800.53x
Florida
680 jobs$104,0400.47x
Alabama
660 jobs$110,1502.13x
Virginia
620 jobs$106,2901.04x
Tennessee
550 jobs$108,6701.13x
Georgia
550 jobs$97,3800.77x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Complex Problem Solving
100%
#2
Science
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Mathematics
60%
#8
Writing
54%
#9
Active Learning
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Complex Problem Solving
advanced5.0
100%
Science
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Mathematics
intermediate3.0
60%
Writing
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Science
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Mathematics
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Writing
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Atmospheric and Space Scientists100%
5 shared skills
Statisticians100%
5 shared skills
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers100%
5 shared skills
Hydrologists100%
5 shared skills
Materials Scientists100%
5 shared skills
Mathematicians100%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Mathematics
- →Speaking
- →Writing
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Complex Problem Solving
- ✓Science
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Complex Problem Solving
- ★Science
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Materials Engineers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
The MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechDassault Systemes SolidWorks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechOracle Database
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visual Basic
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechC++
🔥 Hot TechPython
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
The MathWorks MATLAB
Autodesk AutoCAD
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Microsoft Access
Oracle Database
Microsoft Visual Basic
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
C++
Python
Microsoft Office software
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (8)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Management & Supervision (3)General Responsibilities (6)Training & Development (2)
1
Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform98%
3
Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision94% perform96%
4
Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
7
Perform managerial functions, such as preparing proposals and budgets, analyzing labor costs, and writing reports.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation82% perform88%
8
Solve problems in a number of engineering fields, such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, nuclear, and aerospace.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and corporate executives, as necessary.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Review new product plans, and make recommendations for material selection, based on design objectives such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Materials Engineers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Materials Engineers professionals typically have a RIC Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Materials Engineers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.67
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.57
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.43
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.33
Innovation
Very ImportantInnovation
Importance Level4.33
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.29
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.7
Analytical Thinking
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.4
Persistence
4.3
Innovation
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Dependability
4.2
Cooperation
4.0
Independence
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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