How much does a materials engineer make?

In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, in-demand skills, and credentials such as a PE license. It also varies by employer and industry, location, and job responsibility; materials engineers may specialize in metals, ceramics, plastics, or other materials.

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's a typical day like?

An engineer may study a product plan, choose a material for strength, weight, heat resistance, and cost, then test samples in a lab or factory. They analyze results on a computer, investigate failures, and share fixes with the design team.

Earn a bachelor’s in materials science or related engineering; internships help, and most start after college in their early 20s. Entry-level jobs need no license; experienced engineers can get a state PE license after work experience and FE and PE exams.

Usually a bachelor's degree (preparation level 4 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and figuring things out.

NASA materials engineers can recreate the harsh space environment in a lab to test lightweight materials before they fly.

The US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.