Materials Engineer salary in Rhode Island
Materials Engineers in Rhode Island earn a median of $87,180 a year ($41.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,450 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $112,860. Rhode Island ranks 42nd of 45 states for materials engineers pay. There are 0.10 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $98,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,270 | $37.63 |
| 25th percentile | $80,660 | $38.78 |
| Median | $87,180 | $41.91 |
| 75th percentile | $113,060 | $54.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,450 | $67.53 |
| Average (mean) | $98,270 | $47.25 |
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 | $7,265 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,632.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,353.08 |
| Weekly | $1,676.54 |
| Hourly | $41.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Materials Engineer salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $101,670 | 130 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $116,230 | $55.88 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,300 | $47.74 |
| Industrial Engineer | $109,350 | $52.57 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $136,360 | $65.56 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $119,510 | $57.46 |
| Engineers, All Other | $117,080 | $56.29 |
| Environmental Engineer | $101,140 | $48.63 |
| Chemical Engineer | $111,590 | $53.65 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $94,620 | $45.49 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $105,160 | $50.56 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $94,570 | $45.46 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $98,600 | $47.40 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $71,700 | $34.47 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,420 | $28.57 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for materials engineers in Rhode Island is $87,180 a year, or $41.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of materials engineers in Rhode Island earn at least $140,450 a year. The top 25% earn $113,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,270 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $80,660 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Rhode Island?
About 50 materials engineers are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.