Materials Engineers Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $124,130 +14.6% vs national
Median hourly $59.68
10th percentile $80,990
90th percentile $164,410
Employed locally 230
National median $108,310

Compare Materials Engineers salary & buying power

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Materials Engineers
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $80,990
    25th
    $98,920
    50th (median)
    $124,130
    75th
    $141,570
    90th
    $164,410

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Engineers salary vs area income 121% Median Materials Engineers salary is 21% 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 San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $106,350
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $153,110
    Mechanical Engineers $128,660
    Engineers, All Other $130,550
    Computer Hardware Engineers $169,230
    Industrial Engineers $114,400

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Engineers make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Engineers in San Diego, CA is $59.68, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $81.74 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Materials Engineers salaries?

    The median Materials Engineers salary in San Diego, CA is 14.6% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Materials Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $80,990 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $98,920.