Materials Engineer salary in Columbia, SC
Materials Engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $121,290 a year ($58.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,740 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is about the same as the South Carolina statewide median of $121,610. There are 0.09 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $129,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,320 | $34.77 |
| 25th percentile | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| Median | $121,290 | $58.31 |
| 75th percentile | $176,740 | $84.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $176,740 | $84.97 |
| Average (mean) | $129,410 | $62.22 |
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 | $10,107.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,053.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,665 |
| Weekly | $2,332.50 |
| Hourly | $58.31 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $131,080 | 200 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $106,580 | 230 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $104,910 | 140 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $96,610 | 30 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,320 | $48.71 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,280 | $49.18 |
| Engineers, All Other | $114,560 | $55.08 |
| Environmental Engineer | $96,140 | $46.22 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $128,340 | $61.70 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $88,380 | $42.49 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $129,830 | $62.42 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $72,780 | $34.99 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,640 | $27.71 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,400 | $31.44 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $45,370 | $21.81 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $121,290 a year, or $58.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $176,740 a year. The top 25% earn $176,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,320 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $78,990 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Columbia, SC?
About 40 materials engineers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.