Materials Engineer Salary in Virginia
Based on 620+ workers in Virginia
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (VA)
$116,720
$56.12/hr
vs National Average
$108,868
+7.2% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$77K – $170K
620 employed in Virginia
Salary Distribution — Materials Engineer in Virginia
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $77,490 |
| 25th percentile | $83,840 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $116,720 |
| 75th percentile | $137,400 |
| 90th percentile | $170,210 |
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 Virginia 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 Virginia vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Virginia) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $98,400 |
| 2023 | $104,500 |
| 2024 | $106,290 |
| 2025 | $116,720 |
| 2026 (projected) | $123,723 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Virginia Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $98,400 | $94,212 |
| 2023 | $104,500 | $99,580 |
| 2024 | $106,290 | $104,882 |
| 2025 | $116,720 | $108,868 |
| 2026 (projected) | $123,723 | $115,400 |
Materials Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $83,840 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $116,720 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $137,400 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $170,210 |
Materials Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Materials Engineer Salaries in Virginia
How other high-demand occupations in Virginia compare to Materials Engineer ($116,720 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Materials Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in VA | $176,160 | +50.9% | $84.69/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in VA | $143,210 | +22.7% | $68.85/hr |
| Chemical Engineer in VA | $136,380 | +16.8% | $65.57/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in VA | $128,890 | +10.4% | $61.97/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in VA | $119,030 | +2.0% | $57.23/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in VA | $106,140 | -9.1% | $51.03/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in VA | $104,940 | -10.1% | $50.45/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in VA | $104,180 | -10.7% | $50.09/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in VA | $102,550 | -12.1% | $49.30/hr |
| Civil Engineer in VA | $97,120 | -16.8% | $46.69/hr |
| Management Analyst in VA | $117,580 | +0.7% | $56.53/hr |
| Statistician in VA | $114,920 | -1.5% | $55.25/hr |