Hiring Materials Engineers
Employers across the 62 metro areas we have BLS OEWS wage data for pay materials engineers a median of $77,470 to $156,730 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A search through recruitlocalpros runs Tier I to Tier VI, $6,240 to $54,340, set by seniority, never by location or salary. Our vetted recruiting partner handles sourcing, screening and placement end to end.
What do materials engineers do?
- Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
- Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
- Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
- Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
- Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
- Modify properties of metal alloys, using thermal and mechanical treatments.
Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 17-2131.00.
What does it take to become one?
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET Job Zone 4, SVP (7.0 to < 8.0). O*NET OnLine.
Employers commonly list experience with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Autodesk AutoCAD, C++, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks for this role.
What do materials engineers get paid?
BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for materials engineers in 62 of the metro areas in this build. The median ranges from $77,470 to $156,730 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $106,450. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.
BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 17-2131.
What does hiring one cost?
The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest published median for materials engineers in this build is $156,730. A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $31,346 to $47,019 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.
Frequently asked
- How fast can a materials engineers search fill?
- 23 to 35 days, 2 to 3x faster than a typical contingency search, per the recruiting provider's published figures.
- What if the hire does not work out?
- A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.
Price a materials engineers search
Eight questions about the role. Your tier range appears on screen, with the contingency comparison if you are paying one now.
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