Materials Engineers pay in California
In California, the median pay for materials engineers is $61.77 an hour ($128,470 a year). About 3,020 people work in this job there.
That is 14% higher than the U.S. median ($112,860). California ranks 6th of 45 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for materials engineers in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $39.64 | $82,460 |
| 25% of workers | $49.64 | $103,250 |
| Half of workers (median) | $61.77 | $128,470 |
| 75% of workers | $75.95 | $157,980 |
| 90% of workers | $88.40 | $183,880 |
Materials Engineers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $156,730 | 550 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $130,440 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $130,040 | 100 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $129,480 | 340 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $125,200 | 1,250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $124,180 | 260 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $122,450 | 60 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $109,100 | 90 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for materials engineers
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Job outlook: +7.5% over ten years, faster than average · about 1,300 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineers | $122,500 |
| Industrial Engineers | $124,600 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $130,900 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 |
| Electrical Engineers | $144,040 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $160,520 |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | $185,180 |
| Aerospace Engineers | $157,620 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.