Materials Engineers Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $134,560 +24.2% vs national
Median hourly $64.69
10th percentile $92,990
90th percentile $184,150
Employed locally 420
National median $108,310

Compare Materials Engineers salary & buying power

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Materials Engineers
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $92,990
    25th
    $106,080
    50th (median)
    $134,560
    75th
    $171,770
    90th
    $184,150

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Engineers salary vs area income 101% Median Materials Engineers salary is 1% 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
    Decatur, AL $130,550
    California $127,550
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $127,140
    Bakersfield-Delano, CA $125,580
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $124,130

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $126,560
    Computer Hardware Engineers $172,920
    Engineers, All Other $156,140
    Mechanical Engineers $145,640
    Industrial Engineers $133,790
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $125,950

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Materials Engineers in San Francisco, CA is $64.69, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $90.98 or more per hour.

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

    The median Materials Engineers salary in San Francisco, CA is 24.2% 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 Francisco?

    Entry-level Materials Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $92,990 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $106,080.