Materials Engineer salary in Birmingham, AL
Materials Engineers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $99,780 a year ($47.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,040 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is 7% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $107,580. There are 0.23 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $99,340, close to the median.
Pay range for materials engineers in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,100 | $31.78 |
| 25th percentile | $77,210 | $37.12 |
| Median | $99,780 | $47.97 |
| 75th percentile | $128,000 | $61.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,040 | $68.29 |
| Average (mean) | $99,340 | $47.76 |
Half of materials engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,315 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,157.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,837.69 |
| Weekly | $1,918.85 |
| Hourly | $47.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Materials Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, AL | $134,370 | 50 |
| Huntsville, AL | $120,720 | 280 |
| Mobile, AL | $104,610 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for materials engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $165,600 |
| Maryland | $140,640 |
| Washington | $139,840 |
| Delaware | $131,320 |
| Louisiana | $128,670 |
| California | $128,470 |
| Illinois | $126,620 |
| New York | $125,900 |
| Colorado | $124,030 |
| Alaska | $123,360 |
See Materials Engineer pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $97,420 | $46.84 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,480 | $48.31 |
| Electrical Engineer | $112,960 | $54.31 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,810 | $47.51 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $120,050 | $57.72 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $93,400 | $44.91 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,330 | $45.35 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $108,690 | $52.25 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $107,660 | $51.76 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $96,730 | $46.51 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $47,520 | $22.85 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| Surveyor | $74,670 | $35.90 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a materials engineer make in Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $99,780 a year, or $47.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $142,040 a year. The top 25% earn $128,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,100 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $77,210 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Birmingham, AL?
About 120 materials engineers are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.