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Materials Engineers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in South Carolina (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Materials Engineers salary grow from entry-level to senior in South Carolina? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

110% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • South Carolina salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$75,550
$6,296/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$121,610
$10,134/mo
Senior (P90)
$158,940
$13,245/mo

South Carolina vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$75,550
National: $74,458
+1.5%
Mid-Career (Median)
$121,610
National: $108,868
+11.7%
Senior (P90)
$158,940
National: $158,087
+0.5%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Materials Engineers in South Carolina spans from $75,550 at entry-level to $158,940 at senior level — a difference of $83,390 per year.

P10
$75K
P25
$92K
Median
$121K
P75
$131K
P90
$158K

Career Growth Premium: +110%

Senior Materials Engineerss in South Carolina earn $83,390 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$83,390
Monthly Difference
+$6,949
Hourly Difference
+$40.09
Growth Multiple
2.1x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Materials Engineers salary increases with experience in South Carolina, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $75,550 $6,296 $36.32
Early Career P25 $92,240 $7,687 $44.35
Mid-Career Median $121,610 $10,134 $58.47
Experienced P75 $131,080 $10,923 $63.02
Senior / Expert P90 $158,940 $13,245 $76.41
Key Insight

Materials Engineers in South Carolina has a moderate salary progression with a 110% growth from entry-level ($75,550) to senior ($158,940). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($121,610) and P90 ($158,940) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How South Carolina Compares to Other States

Where does South Carolina rank for Materials Engineers senior-level salaries? Compare South Carolina's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$204,400
Entry: $126K
+61%
2
$199,250
Entry: $92K
+115%
3
$195,190
Entry: $79K
+146%
4
$187,460
Entry: $67K
+177%
5
$183,880
Entry: $82K
+123%
6
$182,400
Entry: $100K
+81%
7
$180,500
Entry: $64K
+179%
8
$175,320
Entry: $84K
+107%
9
$173,530
Entry: $62K
+176%
10
$171,140
Entry: $80K
+112%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Materials Engineers?

Entry-level Materials Engineerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $75,550 per year, or $6,295 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $92,240. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Materials Engineers make?

Senior Materials Engineerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $158,940 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $131,080. This represents a career premium of 110% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Materials Engineers?

The career salary growth potential for Materials Engineerss is 110%. Entry-level professionals start at $75,550, while senior-level can earn up to $158,940 — a difference of $83,390 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Materials Engineerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Materials Engineerss is South Carolina, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $158,940 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Materials Engineers salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for South Carolina from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within South Carolina.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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