Materials Engineers
SOC Code: 17-2131 Job Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed
Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Materials Engineers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $85,717 | $120,162 | $154,586 | $189,030 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $85,155 | $119,163 | $153,192 | $187,200 |
| Eastern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $83,179 | $116,750 | $150,322 | $183,893 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $108,160 | $131,706 | $155,251 | $178,797 |
| Merced, CA | $105,851 | $129,584 | $153,296 | $177,029 |
| Fresno, CA | $105,851 | $129,542 | $153,254 | $176,946 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $102,482 | $127,254 | $152,027 | $176,800 |
| Boulder, CO | $95,285 | $122,262 | $149,261 | $176,238 |
| Salinas, CA | $103,085 | $127,296 | $151,507 | $175,718 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $106,850 | $129,522 | $152,194 | $174,866 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Intel Corporation | 1,947 | $111,712 |
| Lam Research Corporation | 291 | $130,073 |
| ASM AMERICA INC. | 138 | $112,922 |
| Apple Inc. | 118 | $156,438 |
| Micron Technology, Inc. | 111 | $117,723 |
| Western Digital Technologies, Inc. | 110 | $137,727 |
| TSMC Arizona Corporation | 81 | $223,418 |
| Applied Materials, Inc. | 76 | $138,043 |
| Applied Materials, Inc | 64 | $134,608 |
| KLA Corporation | 54 | $127,290 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 174 | $97,717 |
| 2021 | 223 | $107,046 |
| 2022 | 274 | $113,167 |
| 2023 | 643 | $109,847 |
| 2024 | 1,765 | $117,929 |
| 2025 | 1,979 | $242,516 |
| 2026 | 175 | $125,554 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 | |
| Science | 4.0 | |
| Active Listening | 4.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 | |
| Speaking | 3.8 | |
| Writing | 3.8 | |
| Mathematics | 3.8 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.2 | |
| Active Learning | 3.2 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Engineering and Technology | 4.3 |
| Chemistry | 4.2 |
| Physics | 4.2 |
| Production and Processing | 4.1 |
| Mathematics | 4.1 |
| English Language | 3.9 |
| Design | 3.6 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.4 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 47.6% |
| Post-first professional | 33.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 9.5% |
| Master's degree | 4.8% |
| Other | 4.8% |
Typical Tasks
- Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
- Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
- Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists.
- Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
- Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
- Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
- Perform managerial functions, such as preparing proposals and budgets, analyzing labor costs, and writing reports.
- Solve problems in a number of engineering fields, such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, nuclear, and aerospace.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Calculate your wage level for Materials Engineers →
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