📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Materials Engineers Salary in California (2026)

California · 42.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$152,125
per year
Median
$146,004
per year
Hourly
$73.14
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$100,799
25th Percentile — Junior$127,524
50th Percentile — Median$146,004
75th Percentile — Senior$187,653
90th Percentile — Top Earners$209,521
💡 Top-earning Materials Engineerss in California make up to $209,521 per year. The job market in California is rated very strong, with key industries including Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$130.0k
2021
$134.1k
2022
$138.4k
2023
$142.8k
2024
$147.4k
2025
$152.1k
2026
📈 Materials Engineers salaries in California have followed the national trend with 3.2% annual growth. The strong presence in California's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Materials Engineers Salary by City in California
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Los Angeles $235,794 +55.0% Medium
San Diego $225,145 +48.0% Medium
San Jose $261,655 +72.0% Medium
San Francisco $281,431 +85.0% Medium
Fresno $164,295 +8.0% Medium
Sacramento $185,592 +22.0% Medium
Long Beach $220,581 +45.0% Medium
Bakersfield $164,295 +8.0% Medium
Anaheim $216,018 +42.0% Medium
Santa Ana $212,975 +40.0% Medium
Riverside $194,720 +28.0% Medium
Stockton $179,508 +18.0% Medium
Irvine $235,794 +55.0% Medium
San Bernardino $179,508 +18.0% Medium
Modesto $170,380 +12.0% Medium
Fontana $185,592 +22.0% Medium
Moreno Valley $174,944 +15.0% Medium
Glendale $225,145 +48.0% Medium
Fremont $243,400 +60.0% Medium
🔍
Materials Engineers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation

California is home to a very strong job market for Materials Engineerss. The state's key industries — Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $152,125 per year, California's Materials Engineers salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in California (index: 1.42) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in California can expect to earn $100,799–$127,524, while experienced Materials Engineerss can command $187,653–$209,521.

Looking ahead, the Materials Engineers profession in California is projected to grow at 3.2% 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 Engineers salary in California is $152,125 per year in 2026, which is 42.0% above the national average of $107,130.
  • San Francisco and San Jose typically pay Materials Engineerss the highest wages in California due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • California has a very strong job market with major industries in Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Materials Engineers employment.
  • At $152,125/year, California Materials Engineers salaries are 42.0% higher than the national average of $107,130/year.