Materials Engineers Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $121,290 +12% vs national
Median hourly $58.31
10th percentile $72,320
90th percentile $176,740
Employed locally 40
National median $108,310

Compare Materials Engineers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Columbia, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Materials Engineers
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $72,320
    25th
    $78,990
    50th (median)
    $121,290
    75th
    $176,740
    90th
    $176,740

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Engineers salary vs area income 183% Median Materials Engineers salary is 83% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Materials Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $151,260
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $147,080
    Boulder, CO $141,320
    Washington $140,810
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $140,810
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $140,180

    Nearby metros — Materials Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $134,560
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $130,760
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $130,280
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $108,050
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $102,080
    Wisconsin $96,650

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $96,070
    Industrial Engineers $93,720
    Mechanical Engineers $97,580
    Electrical Engineers $101,350
    Architectural and Civil Drafters $61,340
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians $62,930

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Engineers make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Engineers in Columbia, SC is $58.31, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $84.97 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Materials Engineers salaries?

    The median Materials Engineers salary in Columbia, SC is 12% above the national median of $108,310. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Materials Engineers in Columbia?

    Entry-level Materials Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $72,320 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $78,990.