Estimate · based on BLS national data

Materials Engineers in District of Columbia

$182,780 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$87.88 per hour

▲ 52.0% above U.S. average2nd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: Estimate (BLS national × cost of living) Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$182,780per year
Median$171,547per year
Hourly$87.88per hour
10th – 90th percentile$117,756 – $245,726per year

Materials Engineers Pay Range in District of Columbia

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$117,756
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$149,196
  • 50th Percentile — Median$171,547
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$219,935
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$245,726

Half of Materials Engineers in District of Columbia earn more than $171,547. The top 10% make $245,726 or more, while entry-level workers start around $117,756.

Materials Engineers in District of Columbia: Key Facts

Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living

  • District of Columbia ranks 2nd of 51 states for Materials Engineers pay, at $182,780 per year (52.0% above the U.S. average of $120,250).
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $117,756; the top 10% earn over $245,726.
  • Hourly equivalent: $87.88 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $186,388.
  • Among engineering jobs in District of Columbia, Petroleum Engineers pays the most ($238,868).

Materials Engineers Job Market in District of Columbia

Key factors affecting compensation

District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Materials Engineers here earn $182,780 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $182,780 is roughly equivalent to $120,250 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($186,388), New Mexico ($173,000), Washington ($149,070) are the closest alternatives for Materials Engineers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Materials Engineers salary in District of Columbia?

The average Materials Engineers salary in District of Columbia is $182,780 per year (median $171,547), which is 52.0% above the national average of $120,250.

How does District of Columbia rank for Materials Engineers pay?

District of Columbia ranks 2nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($186,388/yr).

How much do entry-level Materials Engineers make in District of Columbia?

The lowest-paid 10% of Materials Engineers in District of Columbia earn about $117,756 per year and the 25th percentile is $149,196.

How much do Materials Engineers make per hour in District of Columbia?

About $87.88 per hour, based on the $182,780 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

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