Materials Engineer salary in Knoxville, TN
Materials Engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $83,240 a year ($40.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,330 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is 9% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $91,940. There are 0.19 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $96,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,100 | $29.37 |
| 25th percentile | $74,490 | $35.81 |
| Median | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| 75th percentile | $119,370 | $57.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,330 | $62.66 |
| Average (mean) | $96,890 | $46.58 |
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 | $6,936.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,468.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,201.54 |
| Weekly | $1,600.77 |
| Hourly | $40.02 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $103,360 | 70 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $89,040 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $85,000 | 50 |
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 Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $96,320 | $46.31 |
| Industrial Engineer | $95,750 | $46.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,650 | $47.91 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Electrical Engineer | $108,590 | $52.21 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $179,660 | $86.38 |
| Environmental Engineer | $86,550 | $41.61 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $107,100 | $51.49 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $118,020 | $56.74 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $129,840 | $62.42 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $94,310 | $45.34 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,060 | $32.24 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $83,240 a year, or $40.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $130,330 a year. The top 25% earn $119,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,100 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $74,490 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 80 materials engineers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.