Materials Engineer salary in Tucson, AZ
Materials Engineers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $95,930 a year ($46.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,050 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is 10% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $106,810. There are 0.39 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $108,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,040 | $39.44 |
| 25th percentile | $95,930 | $46.12 |
| Median | $95,930 | $46.12 |
| 75th percentile | $121,360 | $58.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,050 | $76.47 |
| Average (mean) | $108,380 | $52.11 |
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 | $7,994.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,997.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,689.62 |
| Weekly | $1,844.81 |
| Hourly | $46.12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $124,990 | 310 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $106,760 | $51.33 |
| Electrical Engineer | $117,470 | $56.48 |
| Industrial Engineer | $95,700 | $46.01 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,750 | $47.96 |
| Civil Engineer | $81,490 | $39.18 |
| Engineers, All Other | $104,030 | $50.02 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,950 | $49.49 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $129,340 | $62.18 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $106,220 | $51.07 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $105,340 | $50.65 |
| Environmental Engineer | $78,650 | $37.81 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,730 | $33.52 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $75,230 | $36.17 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $95,930 a year, or $46.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $159,050 a year. The top 25% earn $121,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,040 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $95,930 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Tucson, AZ?
About 150 materials engineers are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.