Materials Engineer salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Materials Engineers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $85,000 a year ($40.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,150 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is 8% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $91,940. There are 0.07 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $103,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,860 | $32.63 |
| 25th percentile | $76,740 | $36.90 |
| Median | $85,000 | $40.86 |
| 75th percentile | $120,050 | $57.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $176,150 | $84.69 |
| Average (mean) | $103,490 | $49.76 |
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 | $7,083.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,541.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,269.23 |
| Weekly | $1,634.62 |
| Hourly | $40.86 |
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 |
| Knoxville, TN | $83,240 | 80 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $100,480 | $48.31 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,100 | $46.20 |
| Engineers, All Other | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 | $50.05 |
| Electrical Engineer | $112,870 | $54.27 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $106,470 | $51.19 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $129,830 | $62.42 |
| Environmental Engineer | $100,150 | $48.15 |
| Chemical Engineer | $108,570 | $52.20 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $120,740 | $58.05 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $93,970 | $45.18 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,070 | $29.36 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $75,850 | $36.47 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $65,090 | $31.29 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $85,000 a year, or $40.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $176,150 a year. The top 25% earn $120,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,860 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $76,740 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 50 materials engineers are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.