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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Materials Engineer in Kentucky is $98,717 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, a Materials Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Materials Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $107,682 | $8,974 | $2,071 | $52 |
| Average | $98,717 | $8,226 | $1,898 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,630 | $7,469 | $1,724 | $43 |
ECS Ltd - ABERDEEN, MD
FM - GLOCESTER, RI
Curbs Plus, Inc. - EL DORADO, KS
Constellation Energy - SAINT LEONARD, MD
A Materials Engineer'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Materials Engineer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Materials... Level Materials Engineer | $73,329 |
| Materials... Level Materials Engineer | $86,627 |
| Materials... Level Materials Engineer | $98,059 |
| Materials... Level Materials Engineer | $119,732 |
| Materials... Level Materials Engineer | $146,453 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Materials Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Materials Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Chemicals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Materials Engineer positions in Aerospace & Defense or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Materials Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $157,948 | $76.0 | 60% |
| Chemicals | $148,076 | $71.0 | 50% |
| Retail & Wholesale | $143,140 | $69.0 | 45% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $138,204 | $66.0 | 40% |
| Telecom | $133,269 | $64.0 | 35% |
Understanding how a Materials Engineer'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $107,682 | $8,974 | $2,071 | $52 |
| Average | $98,717 | $8,226 | $1,898 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,630 | $7,469 | $1,724 | $43 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Materials Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Constellation Energy
LEXINGTON PARK, MD
TSG - The Sheridan Group
EMMITSBURG, MD
TSG - The Sheridan Group | EMMITSBURG, MD
TSG – The Sheridan Group, a DC-based strategic communications and public affairs firm, seeks a Materials Expeditor to coordinate and track all materials su... more
4 Days Ago
TSG - The Sheridan Group
GLEN ROCK, PA
TSG - The Sheridan Group | GLEN ROCK, PA
TSG – The Sheridan Group, a DC-based strategic communications and public affairs firm, seeks a Materials Expeditor to coordinate and track all materials su... more
4 Days Ago
TSG - The Sheridan Group
DOVER, PA
TSG - The Sheridan Group | DOVER, PA
TSG – The Sheridan Group seeks a detail-oriented Materials Expeditor to support fast-paced public affairs and communications campaigns. In this role, you w... more
6 Days Ago
Applied Materials
SANTA CLARA, CA
Applied Materials | SANTA CLARA, CA
Who We Are Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the wor... more
8 Days Ago
Applied Materials
AUSTIN, TX
Applied Materials | AUSTIN, TX
Who We Are Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the wor... more
8 Days Ago
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