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Materials Engineer V Salary in the United States

How much does a Materials Engineer V make in the United States?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Materials Engineer V in the United States is $152,839 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.

However, a Materials Engineer V's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $164,766
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $142,336 to $159,082
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $132,774
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View as table View as graph 25% $142,336 10% $132,774 90% $164,766 75% $159,082 $152,839 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Materials Engineer V Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $159,082 $13,257 $3,059 $76
Average $152,839 $12,737 $2,939 $73
25th Percentile $142,336 $11,861 $2,737 $68
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Key Factors That Influence Materials Engineer V Salaries

A Materials Engineer V's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Materials Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Materials Engineer V's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Materials Engineer II (2-4 years): $90,413
  • Materials Engineer III (4-7 years): $102,346
  • Materials Engineer IV (7+ years): $124,915
  • Materials Engineer V (7-10 years): $152,839
  • Materials Engineering Manager (10+ years): $141,429
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Materials Engineer II2-4 years$90,413
Materials Engineer III4-7 years$102,346
Materials Engineer IV7+ years$124,915
Materials Engineer V7-10 years$152,839
Materials Engineering Manager10+ years$141,429
$90,413 Materials...
$102,346 Materials...
$124,915 Materials...
$152,839 Materials...
$141,429 Materials...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Materials Engineer Vs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $192,776
  • San Francisco: $190,881
  • Oakland: $186,647

What Skills Can Increase a Materials Engineer V's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 17.06% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 1.76% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 1.18% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 17.06%
Economics 1.76%
Continuous Improvement 1.18%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Materials Engineer V's salary.
  • SEM: Can increase your salary by up to 44%.
  • Failure Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 30%.
  • Production Process: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
SEM
$220,088
44%
Failure Analysis
$198,691
30%
Production Process
$197,162
29%
Economics
$191,049
25%
Quality Management
$184,935
21%
Collaboration
$181,878
19%
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How Education impacts a Materials Engineer V's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Materials Engineer Vs enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Materials Engineer V with a Bachelor's Degree is between $168,307 and $177,451).

Materials Engineer V Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Materials Engineer V
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.5%
High School 24.1%
Associates 2.5%
Bachelors 24.1%
Masters 29.1%
Doctorate 44.3%
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Materials Engineer V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Materials Engineer V's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on March 01, 2026

Materials Engineer V Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Materials Engineer V, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Materials Engineer V Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Materials Engineering Manager $141,429 -7%
Metallurgical Engineering Supervisor $129,076 -16%

Most common benefits for Materials Engineer V

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Materials Engineer V

Here are companies hiring for Materials Engineer V and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Materials Engineer V Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Materials Engineer V job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Materials Engineer V

1. Where can a Materials Engineer V earn the most?

A Materials Engineer V's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Materials Engineer V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Materials Engineer V is $192,776.

2. What is the highest pay for Materials Engineer V?

The highest pay for Materials Engineer V is $164,766.

3. What is the lowest pay for Materials Engineer V?

The lowest pay for Materials Engineer V is $132,774.

4. What are the responsibilities of Materials Engineer V?

Plans for the most cost-effective utilization of materials. Applies knowledge of material science to recommend engineering and manufacturing changes to attain design objectives in the most economical manner possible. Reviews blueprints and specifications to determine the appropriate materials needed to achieve successful completion of initiatives. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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