Materials Engineer Salary in South Carolina
Based on 600+ workers in South Carolina
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SC)
$121,610
$58.47/hr
vs National Average
$108,868
+11.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$76K – $159K
600 employed in South Carolina
Salary Distribution — Materials Engineer in South Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $75,550 |
| 25th percentile | $92,240 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $121,610 |
| 75th percentile | $131,080 |
| 90th percentile | $158,940 |
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 South 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 South Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $81,190 |
| 2023 | $96,210 |
| 2024 | $110,730 |
| 2025 | $121,610 |
| 2026 (projected) | $128,907 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | South Carolina Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $81,190 | $94,212 |
| 2023 | $96,210 | $99,580 |
| 2024 | $110,730 | $104,882 |
| 2025 | $121,610 | $108,868 |
| 2026 (projected) | $128,907 | $115,400 |
Materials Engineer Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $92,240 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $121,610 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $131,080 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $158,940 |
Materials Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Materials Engineer Salaries in South Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in South Carolina compare to Materials Engineer ($121,610 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Materials Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in SC | $169,040 | +39.0% | $81.27/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in SC | $137,030 | +12.7% | $65.88/hr |
| Marine Engineer in SC | $136,990 | +12.6% | $65.86/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in SC | $126,570 | +4.1% | $60.85/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in SC | $104,580 | -14.0% | $50.28/hr |
| Civil Engineer in SC | $101,600 | -16.5% | $48.85/hr |
| Chemical Engineer in SC | $101,570 | -16.5% | $48.83/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in SC | $101,060 | -16.9% | $48.59/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in SC | $99,130 | -18.5% | $47.66/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in SC | $98,440 | -19.1% | $47.33/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in SC | $96,140 | -20.9% | $46.22/hr |
| Veterinarian in SC | $122,130 | +0.4% | $58.72/hr |