Materials Engineer salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Materials Engineers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $103,660 a year ($49.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $87,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,190 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is 3% lower than the New Jersey statewide median of $106,920. There are 0.20 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $106,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $87,030 | $41.84 |
| 25th percentile | $93,360 | $44.88 |
| Median | $103,660 | $49.84 |
| 75th percentile | $110,990 | $53.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,190 | $65.96 |
| Average (mean) | $106,210 | $51.06 |
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 | $8,638.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,319.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,986.92 |
| Weekly | $1,993.46 |
| Hourly | $49.84 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $147,490 | 330 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $125,190 | 320 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $116,510 | 30 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $101,090 | $48.60 |
| Environmental Engineer | $92,150 | $44.30 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,920 | $48.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $125,320 | $60.25 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,470 | $48.78 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,990 | $53.36 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $135,710 | $65.24 |
| Chemical Engineer | $135,110 | $64.96 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $111,310 | $53.52 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,710 | $38.80 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $109,140 | $52.47 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,590 | $31.05 |
| Surveyor | $75,870 | $36.48 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $75,030 | $36.07 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $103,660 a year, or $49.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $87,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $137,190 a year. The top 25% earn $110,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $87,030 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $93,360 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 50 materials engineers are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.