Materials Engineer salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Materials Engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $100,070 a year ($48.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,690 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is 6% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $94,050. There are 0.24 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $101,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,910 | $31.21 |
| 25th percentile | $75,390 | $36.25 |
| Median | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| 75th percentile | $127,570 | $61.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,690 | $68.60 |
| Average (mean) | $101,540 | $48.82 |
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 | $8,339.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,169.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,848.85 |
| Weekly | $1,924.42 |
| Hourly | $48.11 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $105,950 | 50 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $84,880 | 100 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $109,470 | $52.63 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,110 | $50.06 |
| Electrical Engineer | $114,390 | $55.00 |
| Engineers, All Other | $126,250 | $60.70 |
| Civil Engineer | $92,550 | $44.50 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $128,650 | $61.85 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $129,990 | $62.50 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $108,500 | $52.17 |
| Environmental Engineer | $110,520 | $53.13 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $128,960 | $62.00 |
| Chemical Engineer | $104,230 | $50.11 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $103,960 | $49.98 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $78,720 | $37.84 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $135,630 | $65.21 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $100,070 a year, or $48.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $142,690 a year. The top 25% earn $127,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,910 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $75,390 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 460 materials engineers are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.