Material Engineers Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Materials Engineers in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$104,240
per year
Hourly Rate
$50.12
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $112,860
State Rank
#25 of 45
640 employed here

How much does a Material Engineers make in North Carolina?

Materials Engineers in North Carolina take home a median of $104,240 annually — roughly $50.12 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $112,860.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $78,160 while the top 10% make $153,570 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $86,400 and $127,560 a year.

Material Engineers salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$78,160$37.58
25th percentile (early career)$86,400$41.54
50th percentile (median)$104,240$50.12
75th percentile (experienced)$127,560$61.33
90th percentile (top earners)$153,570$73.83

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 25th out of 45 states and territories for Material Engineers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New Mexico$165,600
2Maryland$140,640
3Washington$139,840
4Delaware$131,320
5Louisiana$128,670

Working as a Material Engineers in North Carolina

Nationally, about 23,000 people work as Materials Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($104,240) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Material Engineers make in North Carolina?
The median Material Engineers salary in North Carolina is $104,240 per year, or about $50.12 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $78,160 at the entry level to $153,570 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Materials Engineers about 8% less than the national median of $112,860. North Carolina ranks 25th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Materials Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $104,240 a year. About 640 Materials Engineers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Material Engineers salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.