Materials Engineers in California
Considering working as a Materials Engineers in California? Here’s what the data says. Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.
What do Materials Engineers Make in California?
For a materials engineers working in California, the median annual wage is $127,550 per year (or about $61.32/hour).Pay can range from $87,070 at the 10th percentile to $181,500 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $87,070 | $41.86 |
| 25th percentile | $106,080 | $51.00 |
| Median (50th) | $127,550 | $61.32 |
| 75th percentile | $153,110 | $73.61 |
| 90th percentile | $181,500 | $87.26 |
The job concentration index in California nationwide is 1.03.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, materials engineers earn a median of $52,129 per year ($25.06/hour), exceeding the California median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 43,114 materials engineers in the U.S.. In California alone, approximately 2,760 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 310 materials engineers.
Top California Metros for Materials Engineers
The metro areas below employ the most materials engineers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 1,160 | $119,580 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 480 | $151,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 420 | $134,560 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 230 | $124,130 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 80 | $106,100 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 80 | $127,140 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 40 | $125,580 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 40 | $113,870 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 30 | $115,260 |
Top States for Materials Engineers Employment
View the states that employ the most materials engineers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 2,760 |
| Ohio | 1,770 |
| Texas | 1,730 |
| Washington | 1,240 |
| Massachusetts | 1,060 |
| Michigan | 1,030 |
| Maryland | 960 |
| Pennsylvania | 780 |
| North Carolina | 770 |
| New York | 750 |
| Florida | 680 |
| Alabama | 660 |
| Virginia | 620 |
| Georgia | 550 |
| Tennessee | 550 |
| Colorado | 540 |
| Utah | 490 |
| Indiana | 470 |
| South Carolina | 440 |
| Connecticut | 400 |
Highest-Paying States for Materials Engineers
Where materials engineers earn the most: materials engineers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $140,810 |
| Maryland | $130,920 |
| Delaware | $127,640 |
| California | $127,550 |
| Oregon | $127,360 |
| New York | $121,980 |
| Colorado | $121,430 |
| Alaska | $120,540 |
| Texas | $116,170 |
| Wyoming | $114,370 |
Skills
The most important materials engineers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for materials engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
- Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
- Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
- Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
- Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
- Modify properties of metal alloys, using thermal and mechanical treatments.
- Determine appropriate methods for fabricating and joining materials.
- Guide technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.
- Review new product plans, and make recommendations for material selection, based on design objectives such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.
- Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists.
- Plan and implement laboratory operations to develop material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards.
- Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and corporate executives, as necessary.
Work Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Thinking Creatively
- Working with Computers
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Processing Information
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, C++ In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Materials Engineering
- Textile Engineering
- Polymer & Plastics Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Ceramic Engineering
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to materials engineers include:
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
- Electrical Engineers
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
- Industrial Engineers
Also Known As
Automotive Sheet Metal Engineer, Ceramic Design Engineer, Ceramic Engineer, Ceramic Research Engineer, Ceramics Test Engineer, Corrosion Engineer, Design Engineer, Engineer, Extractive Metallurgist, Extrusion Engineer, Failure Analysis Engineer, Forensic Materials Engineer, Foundry Metallurgist, Foundry Process Engineer, Glass Science Engineer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 17-2131.00
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