Materials Engineer salary in Lincoln, NE
Materials Engineers in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $96,960 a year ($46.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,750 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is 1% lower than the Nebraska statewide median of $98,270. There are 0.28 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $96,100, close to the median.
Pay range for materials engineers in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,760 | $24.89 |
| 25th percentile | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Median | $96,960 | $46.62 |
| 75th percentile | $105,700 | $50.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,750 | $81.13 |
| Average (mean) | $96,100 | $46.20 |
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 | $8,080 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,040 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,729.23 |
| Weekly | $1,864.62 |
| Hourly | $46.62 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $103,410 | 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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $95,560 | $45.94 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,390 | $47.30 |
| Electrical Engineer | $100,300 | $48.22 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $96,300 | $46.30 |
| Engineers, All Other | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Environmental Engineer | $117,640 | $56.56 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $72,770 | $34.98 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $98,010 | $47.12 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,060 | $31.76 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $59,640 | $28.67 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $48,080 | $23.11 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,770 | $31.14 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Lincoln, NE
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 Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $96,960 a year, or $46.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $168,750 a year. The top 25% earn $105,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,760 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $57,030 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Lincoln, NE?
About 50 materials engineers are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.