Materials Engineer salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Materials Engineers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $103,360 a year ($49.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,260 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is 12% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $91,940. There are 0.26 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $108,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,830 | $34.54 |
| 25th percentile | $80,900 | $38.89 |
| Median | $103,360 | $49.69 |
| 75th percentile | $142,730 | $68.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,260 | $73.20 |
| Average (mean) | $108,340 | $52.09 |
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 | $8,613.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,306.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,975.38 |
| Weekly | $1,987.69 |
| Hourly | $49.69 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $101,100 | 530 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $89,040 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $85,000 | 50 |
| Knoxville, TN | $83,240 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $99,410 | $47.79 |
| Civil Engineer | $95,630 | $45.97 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $106,660 | $51.28 |
| Electrical Engineer | $123,840 | $59.54 |
| Engineers, All Other | $101,200 | $48.66 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $119,180 | $57.30 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $146,850 | $70.60 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $133,060 | $63.97 |
| Environmental Engineer | $88,040 | $42.33 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,840 | $27.33 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,480 | $31.96 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $89,820 | $43.18 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $103,360 a year, or $49.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $152,260 a year. The top 25% earn $142,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,830 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $80,900 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 70 materials engineers are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.