Materials Engineer salary in Kentucky
Materials Engineers in Kentucky earn a median of $100,620 a year ($48.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,800 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $112,860. Kentucky ranks 30th of 45 states for materials engineers pay. There are 0.14 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $106,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,610 | $40.68 |
| 25th percentile | $96,300 | $46.30 |
| Median | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| 75th percentile | $119,280 | $57.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,800 | $63.85 |
| Average (mean) | $106,970 | $51.43 |
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 | $8,385 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,192.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,870 |
| Weekly | $1,935 |
| Hourly | $48.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Materials Engineer salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $127,740 | 380 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $100,420 | 40 |
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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,050 | $48.58 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $101,860 | $48.97 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $116,200 | $55.86 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,830 | $48.00 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,520 | $51.69 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $107,760 | $51.81 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,130 | $60.64 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $103,300 | $49.67 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,170 | $56.33 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $95,360 | $45.85 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,710 | $28.71 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for materials engineers in Kentucky is $100,620 a year, or $48.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of materials engineers in Kentucky earn at least $132,800 a year. The top 25% earn $119,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,610 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $96,300 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Kentucky?
About 280 materials engineers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.