Study and develop materials such as metals, ceramics, and composites to meet performance and cost needs.
Labs, offices, and factories
Full time, regular hours
May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.
Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.
“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.
Bachelor's degree
Training path: Bachelor's in materials or related engineering.
A Professional Engineer license is optional and mainly useful for senior roles.
Develops and tests the metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites that other products are built from.
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Standard Occupational Classification 17-2131. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.