Material Engineers Salary in Virginia (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$116,720
per year
Hourly Rate
$56.12
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $112,860
State Rank
#16 of 45
620 employed here

How much does a Material Engineers make in Virginia?

A Material Engineers working in Virginia earns a median salary of $116,720 per year, or about $56.12 per hour. That is 3% above the national median of $112,860 for this occupation.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $77,490 while the top 10% make $170,210 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $83,840 and $137,400 a year.

Material Engineers salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$77,490$37.25
25th percentile (early career)$83,840$40.31
50th percentile (median)$116,720$56.12
75th percentile (experienced)$137,400$66.06
90th percentile (top earners)$170,210$81.83

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 16th 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 Virginia

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 Virginia pay ($116,720) 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 Virginia?
The median Material Engineers salary in Virginia is $116,720 per year, or about $56.12 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $77,490 at the entry level to $170,210 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Materials Engineers about 3% more than the national median of $112,860. Virginia ranks 16th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Materials Engineers?
Yes on pay — Virginia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $116,720 a year. About 620 Materials Engineers are employed in Virginia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.