Materials Engineer salary in Montana
Materials Engineers in Montana earn a median of $76,030 a year ($36.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,480 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $112,860. Montana ranks 44th of 45 states for materials engineers pay. There are 0.18 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| 25th percentile | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Median | $76,030 | $36.56 |
| 75th percentile | $93,560 | $44.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,480 | $50.23 |
| Average (mean) | $79,600 | $38.27 |
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 | $6,335.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,167.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,924.23 |
| Weekly | $1,462.12 |
| Hourly | $36.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $93,070 | $44.75 |
| Electrical Engineer | $87,360 | $42.00 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $94,190 | $45.28 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,430 | $50.21 |
| Environmental Engineer | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| Engineers, All Other | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $93,380 | $44.89 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $105,410 | $50.68 |
| Chemical Engineer | $127,490 | $61.29 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $97,670 | $46.96 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $104,060 | $50.03 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $65,750 | $31.61 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,330 | $29.00 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for materials engineers in Montana is $76,030 a year, or $36.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Montana?
The top 10% of materials engineers in Montana earn at least $104,480 a year. The top 25% earn $93,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,860 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $63,500 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Montana?
About 90 materials engineers are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.