Occupation Salary Profile

Materials Engineers

SOC Code: 17-2131

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.

National Median (BLS)
$110,660
▲ +1.81% Nominal ▼ -1.4% Real
H-1B Sponsor Median
$121,400
▲ +5.78% Nominal +2.57% Real
Average Base Salary
$109,810
Domestic Mean Pay
Total U.S. Employment
40
Active Positions (BLS)
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National Baseline Wage Distribution

Empirical wage tiers reported across all 50 states by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Materials Engineers.

Percentile Tier Annual Base Salary
10th Percentile $72,100
25th Percentile $72,100
National Median (50th Percentile) $110,660
75th Percentile $133,010
90th Percentile $135,590
P10: $72,100 P50 (Median): $110,660 P90: $135,590
Foreign Talent Market

H-1B Visa Sponsor Compensation Benchmarks

Based on 1,565 certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) filed by U.S. employers (Trailing 12 Months vs Prior 12 Months).

H-1B National Median $121,400
YoY Nominal Growth (T12M) ▲ +5.78%
Real Wage Growth (CPI-U Adj) ▲ +2.57%
H-1B Percentile Tier Sponsored Base Salary
10th Percentile $87,043
25th Percentile $95,701
H-1B Median (50th Percentile) $121,400
75th Percentile $135,000
90th Percentile $155,251
H-1B P10: $87,043 H-1B P50: $121,400 H-1B P90: $155,251
💡 Market Premium Insight: The median salary for foreign talent sponsored for Materials Engineers roles ($121,400) is +9.7% higher than the broader domestic BLS national median ($110,660).