Materials Engineers Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $86,500 -20.1% vs national
Median hourly $41.59
10th percentile $83,040
90th percentile $148,260
National median $108,310

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Materials Engineers
in
Raleigh, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $83,040
    25th
    $83,600
    50th (median)
    $86,500
    75th
    $116,110
    90th
    $148,260

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Engineers salary vs area income 90% Median Materials Engineers salary is 10% below 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
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $135,500
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $134,560
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $119,020
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $118,830
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $110,700
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $102,530

    Related occupations in Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers$98,030
    Industrial Engineers$101,880
    Electrical Engineers$130,900
    Surveying and Mapping Technicians$49,530
    Mechanical Engineers$102,750
    Architectural and Civil Drafters$66,410

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Engineers make per hour in Raleigh?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Engineers in Raleigh, NC is $41.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $71.50 or more per hour.

    Is Raleigh above or below average for Materials Engineers salaries?

    The median Materials Engineers salary in Raleigh, NC is 20.1% below 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Materials Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $83,040 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $83,600.