Materials Engineers Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $106,100 -2% vs national
Median hourly $51.01
10th percentile $77,130
90th percentile $142,820
Employed locally 80
National median $108,310

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Materials Engineers
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Riverside, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $77,130
    25th
    $91,860
    50th (median)
    $106,100
    75th
    $119,280
    90th
    $142,820

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Engineers salary vs area income 123% Median Materials Engineers salary is 23% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $151,260
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $134,560
    Decatur, AL $130,550
    California $127,550
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $127,140
    Bakersfield-Delano, CA $125,580

    Related occupations in Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers$109,250
    Mechanical Engineers$101,800
    Industrial Engineers$103,330
    Engineers, All Other$106,220
    Electrical Engineers$109,360
    Architectural and Civil Drafters$64,850

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Engineers make per hour in Riverside?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Engineers in Riverside, CA is $51.01, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.27 or more per hour.

    Is Riverside above or below average for Materials Engineers salaries?

    The median Materials Engineers salary in Riverside, CA is 2% 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 Riverside?

    Entry-level Materials Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $77,130 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $91,860.