Materials Engineers Salary in California
Materials Engineers in California earn a median annual wage of $128,470 —13.8% above the national median of $112,860. That ranks CA #6 of 45 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (1.13×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for materials engineers
All 45 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $165,600 | $79.61 | 450 | 3.56 |
| 2 | Maryland | $140,640 | $67.62 | 740 | 1.82 |
| 3 | Washington | $139,840 | $67.23 | 1,000 | 1.92 |
| 4 | Delaware | $131,320 | $63.14 | 40 | 0.51 |
| 5 | Louisiana | $128,670 | $61.86 | 90 | 0.31 |
| 6 | California | $128,470 | $61.77 | 3,020 | 1.13 |
| 7 | Illinois | $126,620 | $60.87 | 290 | 0.33 |
| 8 | New York | $125,900 | $60.53 | 590 | 0.42 |
| 9 | Colorado | $124,030 | $59.63 | 810 | 1.92 |
| 10 | Alaska | $123,360 | $59.31 | 70 | 1.36 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineers | $122,500 | $100,840 |
| Industrial Engineers | $124,600 | $102,440 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $130,900 | $104,110 |
| Electrical Engineers | $144,040 | $120,630 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 | $122,930 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $108,540 | $99,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do materials engineers make in California?
The median annual wage for materials engineers in California is $128,470, or $61.77 per hour. That is 13.8% above the national median of $112,860.
What is the entry-level materials engineers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $82,460 per year ($39.64/hour). The 25th percentile is $103,250.
How many people work as materials engineers in California?
About 3,020 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.2 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for materials engineers?
California ranks #6 of 45 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.13x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays materials engineers the most?
New Mexico has the highest median wage at $165,600 per year, followed by Maryland ($140,640) and Washington ($139,840).