Materials Engineer salary in Lancaster, PA
Materials Engineers in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn a median of $79,270 a year ($38.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,350 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is 19% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $98,030. There are 0.14 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Lancaster, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,120 | $32.27 |
| 25th percentile | $79,270 | $38.11 |
| Median | $79,270 | $38.11 |
| 75th percentile | $99,120 | $47.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,350 | $57.38 |
| Average (mean) | $89,270 | $42.92 |
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 | $6,605.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,302.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,048.85 |
| Weekly | $1,524.42 |
| Hourly | $38.11 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $125,190 | 320 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $116,510 | 30 |
| Reading, PA | $99,040 | 50 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $98,440 | 40 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $92,740 | 120 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lancaster, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $97,770 | $47.00 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $83,710 | $40.25 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,780 | $47.01 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,210 | $50.58 |
| Engineers, All Other | $96,500 | $46.40 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $91,340 | $43.91 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,970 | $30.27 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,840 | $30.69 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $68,930 | $33.14 |
| Surveyor | $76,880 | $36.96 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $72,040 | $34.64 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Lancaster, PA
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 Lancaster, PA?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $79,270 a year, or $38.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Lancaster, PA?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn at least $119,350 a year. The top 25% earn $99,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Lancaster, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,120 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $79,270 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Lancaster, PA?
About 30 materials engineers are employed in the Lancaster, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.