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Materials Engineers Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Materials Engineers make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$128,470
Median Annual Salary
▲
+0.7% vs 2024
$131,090
Mean Salary
$128,470
Median Salary
$61.76
Hourly Rate
3,020 people work as Materials Engineers in California
Materials Engineers salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Materials Engineers in California earn a median salary of $128,470 per year ($10,705/month).
This is 18.0% above the national average of $108,868.
California ranks #6 out of 45 states for Materials Engineers pay.
Approximately 3,020 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries increased by 0.7% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Materials Engineers
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.
Top Skills
Reading Comprehension
4.0
Active Listening
4.0
Science
4.0
Complex Problem Solving
4.0
Critical Thinking
3.88
Key Knowledge Areas
Engineering and Technology
4.29
Chemistry
4.25
Physics
4.19
Production and Processing
4.1
Mathematics
4.1
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
(47.6% of workers)
Salaries for Materials Engineers in California range from $82,460 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $183,880 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $103,250 and $157,980.
How much do Materials Engineers make in California?
The median annual salary for Materials Engineers in California is $128,470 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $131,090.
What is the salary range for a Materials Engineers in California?
Salaries for Materials Engineers in California range from $82,460 at the 10th percentile to $183,880 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $103,250 and $157,980.
What is the starting salary for a Materials Engineers in California?
Entry-level Materials Engineers positions in California typically start around $82,460 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $103,250 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Materials Engineers in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 3,020 people are employed as Materials Engineers in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Materials Engineers in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Materials Engineers in California is approximately $61.76 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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