Materials engineers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$108,310
~$52/hr · ~$9,026/mo
US Jobs
23K
Faster than average
AI & Automation Risk
7/10
High Risk
AI & Automation Risk
High Risk 7/10
Materials engineering is heavily reliant on digital simulation, data analysis, and computational modeling, areas where AI and machine learning are already accelerating material discovery and property prediction. While the role requires physical lab work and manufacturing oversight, a significant portion of the core value—designing alloys, analyzing failures, and writing technical reports—is increasingly susceptible to AI-driven productivity gains and automation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OHBEST VALUE | $136,300 | Below avg (92.4) | $147,548 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $147,080 | Average (99.7) | $147,472 |
| Decatur, AL | $130,550 | Below avg (89.2) | $146,353 |
| Boulder, CO | $141,320 | Average (100.6) | $140,458 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $132,490 | Average (98.9) | $133,984 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $151,260 | Above avg (113.1) | $133,789 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $130,280 | Average (98.2) | $132,699 |
| Knoxville, TN | $121,390 | Below avg (92.2) | $131,611 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area | $140,180 | Above avg (107.0) | $130,996 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $133,850 | Average (102.7) | $130,304 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $130,760 | Average (101.1) | $129,340 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $135,500 | Above avg (106.7) | $126,975 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $107,560 | Below avg (85.0) | $126,559 |
| Huntsville, AL | $118,270 | Below avg (93.8) | $126,075 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $112,360 | Below avg (89.2) | $126,016 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
10-Year Growth
+6% (Faster than average)
Hourly Rate
~$52/hr
Monthly Income
~$9,026/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)