Materials Engineer salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Materials Engineers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn a median of $85,130 a year ($40.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,810 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is 16% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $101,120. There are 0.35 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $92,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| 25th percentile | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Median | $85,130 | $40.93 |
| 75th percentile | $102,910 | $49.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,810 | $58.08 |
| Average (mean) | $92,310 | $44.38 |
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 | $7,094.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,547.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,274.23 |
| Weekly | $1,637.12 |
| Hourly | $40.93 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $127,740 | 380 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $127,230 | 160 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $100,420 | 40 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $99,640 | 50 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $99,590 | 250 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,690 | $48.41 |
| Electrical Engineer | $95,150 | $45.75 |
| Civil Engineer | $87,380 | $42.01 |
| Agricultural Engineer | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,280 | $35.71 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $53,640 | $25.79 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $58,810 | $28.28 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,350 | $29.50 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $61,220 | $29.43 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
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 Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $85,130 a year, or $40.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn at least $120,810 a year. The top 25% earn $102,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,040 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $82,720 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
About 40 materials engineers are employed in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.