Materials Engineer Salary in Rhode Island
Based on 50+ workers in Rhode Island
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (RI)
$87,180
$41.91/hr
vs National Average
$108,868
-19.9% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$78K – $140K
50 employed in Rhode Island
Salary Distribution — Materials Engineer in Rhode Island
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $78,270 |
| 25th percentile | $80,660 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $87,180 |
| 75th percentile | $113,060 |
| 90th percentile | $140,450 |
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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Rhode Island) |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $129,590 |
| 2024 | $92,180 |
| 2025 | $87,180 |
| 2026 (projected) | $87,180 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Rhode Island Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $129,590 | $99,580 |
| 2024 | $92,180 | $104,882 |
| 2025 | $87,180 | $108,868 |
| 2026 (projected) | $87,180 | $108,868 |
Materials Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $80,660 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $87,180 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $113,060 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $140,450 |
Materials Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Materials Engineer Salaries in Rhode Island
How other high-demand occupations in Rhode Island compare to Materials Engineer ($87,180 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Materials Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in RI | $175,910 | +101.8% | $84.57/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in RI | $116,230 | +33.3% | $55.88/hr |
| Chemical Engineer in RI | $111,590 | +28.0% | $53.65/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in RI | $109,350 | +25.4% | $52.57/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in RI | $101,140 | +16.0% | $48.63/hr |
| Civil Engineer in RI | $99,300 | +13.9% | $47.74/hr |
| Dental Hygienist in RI | $86,910 | -0.3% | $41.78/hr |
| Respiratory Therapist in RI | $86,900 | -0.3% | $41.78/hr |
| Compliance Officer in RI | $87,620 | +0.5% | $42.13/hr |
| Purchasing Agent in RI | $86,240 | -1.1% | $41.46/hr |
| Market Research Analyst in RI | $86,240 | -1.1% | $41.46/hr |
| Credit Analyst in RI | $85,920 | -1.4% | $41.31/hr |