Construction Materials Testing Technician I Salary in the United States

How much does a Construction Materials Testing Technician I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Construction Materials Testing Technician I in the United States is $66,693 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, a Construction Materials Testing Technician I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,123
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $60,540 to $71,629
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,937

Key Factors That Influence Construction Materials Testing Technician I Salaries

A Construction Materials Testing Technician I'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 Construction Materials Testing Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Construction Materials Testing Technician I'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $66,330
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $77,723
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $87,099
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $106,975
  • Expert (over 8 years): $119,127
Levels Salary
Construct... Level Construction Materials Testing Technician I$66,330
Construct... Level Construction Materials Testing Technician I$77,723
Construct... Level Construction Materials Testing Technician I$87,099
Construct... Level Construction Materials Testing Technician I$106,975
Construct... Level Construction Materials Testing Technician I$119,127

How Do Construction Materials Testing Technician I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Construction Materials Testing Technician Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $73,843.
  • California: $73,563.
  • Massachusetts: $72,582.

Top Paying Cities for Construction Materials Testing Technician Is

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: $84,120
  • San Francisco: $83,199
  • Oakland: $81,446

What Skills Can Increase a Construction Materials Testing Technician I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 9.68% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • Construction Inspection (Mentioned in 1.87% Job Postings): Inspections of work progress compliance with plan and specifications. Inspections of work quality and compliance standards and specifications. Inspections of paints and coatings.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 1.43% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 9.68%
Construction Inspection 1.87%
Accounting 1.43%

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 Construction Materials Testing Technician I's salary.

  • Space Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Budgeting: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Bidding: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Space Planning $78,698
18%
Budgeting $78,031
17%
Bidding $76,697
15%

Construction Materials Testing Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Construction Materials Testing Technician I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Construction Materials Testing Technician positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Construction Materials Testing Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Construction Materials Testing Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$80,032$38.020%
Software & Networking$80,032$38.020%
Insurance$76,697$37.015%
Internet$76,697$37.015%
Pharmaceuticals$76,697$37.015%

How Education impacts a Construction Materials Testing Technician I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Construction Materials Testing Technician Is 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 Construction Materials Testing Technician I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $62,307 and $66,109).

Construction Materials Testing Technician I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Construction Materials Testing Technician I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.2%
High School 21.9%
Associates 13.0%
Bachelors 54.5%
Masters 9.3%
Doctorate 0.0%

Construction Materials Testing Technician I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Construction Materials Testing Technician I'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 September 01, 2026
$60,540
Average $66,693/year
$71,629
$5,045
Average $5,558/month
$5,969
$1,164
Average $1,283/week
$1,377
$29
Average $32/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $71,629 $5,969 $1,377 $34
Average $66,693 $5,558 $1,283 $32
25th Percentile $60,540 $5,045 $1,164 $29

Most common benefits for Construction Materials Testing Technician I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Construction Materials Testing Technician I

Here are companies hiring for Construction Materials Testing Technician I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Construction Materials Testing Technician I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Construction Materials Testing Technician I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Construction Materials Testing Technician I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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.)

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