Materials Engineer Salary in North Carolina
Based on 640+ workers in North Carolina
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (NC)
$104,240
$50.12/hr
vs National Average
$108,868
-4.3% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$78K – $154K
640 employed in North Carolina
Salary Distribution — Materials Engineer in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $78,160 |
| 25th percentile | $86,400 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $104,240 |
| 75th percentile | $127,560 |
| 90th percentile | $153,570 |
Top-Paying Industries for Materials Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Materials Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Materials Engineers in North Carolina tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $137,650 | 2K |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $130,620 | 70 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $126,510 | 2K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $122,660 | 6K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $118,890 | 130 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Materials Engineer in North Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (North Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $91,900 |
| 2023 | $92,570 |
| 2024 | $95,640 |
| 2025 | $104,240 |
| 2026 (projected) | $110,494 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | North Carolina Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $91,900 | $94,212 |
| 2023 | $92,570 | $99,580 |
| 2024 | $95,640 | $104,882 |
| 2025 | $104,240 | $108,868 |
| 2026 (projected) | $110,494 | $115,400 |
Materials Engineer Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $86,400 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $104,240 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $127,560 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $153,570 |
Materials Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Materials Engineer Salaries in North Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in North Carolina compare to Materials Engineer ($104,240 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Materials Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in NC | $167,840 | +61.0% | $80.69/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in NC | $131,850 | +26.5% | $63.39/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in NC | $122,930 | +17.9% | $59.10/hr |
| Chemical Engineer in NC | $117,410 | +12.6% | $56.45/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in NC | $110,130 | +5.7% | $52.95/hr |
| Civil Engineer in NC | $100,730 | -3.4% | $48.43/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in NC | $100,720 | -3.4% | $48.42/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in NC | $99,440 | -4.6% | $47.81/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in NC | $99,310 | -4.7% | $47.75/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in NC | $94,790 | -9.1% | $45.57/hr |
| Software Engineer in NC | $104,850 | +0.6% | $50.41/hr |
| Medical Scientist in NC | $102,980 | -1.2% | $49.51/hr |