Materials Engineers Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $151,260 +39.7% vs national
Median hourly $72.72
10th percentile $101,410
90th percentile $215,220
Employed locally 480
National median $108,310

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Materials Engineers
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San Jose, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $101,410
    25th
    $131,910
    50th (median)
    $151,260
    75th
    $194,700
    90th
    $215,220

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Engineers salary vs area income 96% Median Materials Engineers salary is 4% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Materials Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $147,080
    Boulder, CO $141,320
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $140,810
    Washington $140,810
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $140,180
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $137,650

    Nearby metros — Materials Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $124,130

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Computer Hardware Engineers $197,090
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $179,050
    Electrical Engineers $186,920
    Mechanical Engineers $147,730
    Industrial Engineers $136,290
    Engineers, All Other $157,770

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Materials Engineers in San Jose, CA is $72.72, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $105.17 or more per hour.

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

    The median Materials Engineers salary in San Jose, CA is 39.7% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Materials Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $101,410 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $131,910.