📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Materials Engineer Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · Medium Demand

Average
$92,028
per year
Median
$88,106
per year
Hourly
$44.24
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$60,911
25th Percentile — Junior$77,855
50th Percentile — Median$88,106
75th Percentile — Senior$115,980
90th Percentile — Top Earners$130,084
💡 Top-earning Materials Engineers in North Carolina make up to $130,084 per year. The job market in North Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Technology, Finance, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$80.2k
2021
$82.4k
2022
$84.7k
2023
$87.1k
2024
$89.5k
2025
$92.0k
2026
📈 Materials Engineer salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 2.8% annual growth. The strong presence in North Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Materials Engineer Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $88,347 -4.0% Medium
Raleigh $90,187 -2.0% Medium
Greensboro $82,825 -10.0% Medium
Durham $89,267 -3.0% Medium
Winston-Salem $80,064 -13.0% Medium
🔍
Materials Engineer Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for Materials Engineers. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $92,028 per year, North Carolina's Materials Engineer salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in North Carolina (index: 0.91) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in North Carolina can expect to earn $60,911–$77,855, while experienced Materials Engineers can command $115,980–$130,084.

Looking ahead, the Materials Engineer profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 2.8% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Materials Engineer salary in North Carolina is $92,028 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $101,130.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Materials Engineers the highest wages in North Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • North Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Technology, Finance, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Materials Engineer employment.
  • At $92,028/year, North Carolina Materials Engineer salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $101,130/year.