Materials Engineers Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $135,400 +25% vs national
Median hourly $65.09
10th percentile $76,900
90th percentile $191,880
Employed locally 760
National median $108,310

Compare Materials Engineers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Materials Engineers
in
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $76,900
    25th
    $103,830
    50th (median)
    $135,400
    75th
    $168,590
    90th
    $191,880

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Engineers salary vs area income 109% Median Materials Engineers salary is 9% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers$100,370
    Engineers, All Other$162,610
    Mechanical Engineers$121,060
    Electrical Engineers$136,820
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$106,120
    Aerospace Engineers$157,980

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Engineers make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Engineers in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $65.09, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $93.84 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Materials Engineers salaries?

    The median Materials Engineers salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 25% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Materials Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $76,900 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $103,830.