Materials Engineer salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Materials Engineers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $104,310 a year ($50.15 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $64,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,730 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is about the same as the North Carolina statewide median of $104,240. The average (mean) salary is $109,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,210 | $30.87 |
| 25th percentile | $86,400 | $41.54 |
| Median | $104,310 | $50.15 |
| 75th percentile | $128,040 | $61.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,730 | $71.50 |
| Average (mean) | $109,980 | $52.87 |
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 | $8,692.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,346.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,011.92 |
| Weekly | $2,005.96 |
| Hourly | $50.15 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $117,000 | 80 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $116,720 | 190 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $104,910 | 140 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $98,380 | 170 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $101,440 | $48.77 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,030 | $50.01 |
| Electrical Engineer | $130,240 | $62.62 |
| Engineers, All Other | $104,910 | $50.44 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $162,800 | $78.27 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $130,540 | $62.76 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $98,630 | $47.42 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $115,050 | $55.31 |
| Chemical Engineer | $111,210 | $53.47 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $130,300 | $62.65 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,720 | $29.19 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $104,310 a year, or $50.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $148,730 a year. The top 25% earn $128,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,210 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $86,400 or less.