BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Materials Engineers in Virginia

$117,660 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$56.57 per hour

▼ 2.2% below U.S. average16th of 45 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$117,660per year
Median$116,720per year
Hourly$56.57per hour
10th – 90th percentile$77,490 – $170,210per year

Materials Engineers Pay Range in Virginia

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$77,490
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$83,840
  • 50th Percentile — Median$116,720
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$137,400
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$170,210

Half of Materials Engineers in Virginia earn more than $116,720. The top 10% make $170,210 or more, while entry-level workers start around $77,490.

Materials Engineers in Virginia: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Virginia ranks 16th of 45 states for Materials Engineers pay, at $117,660 per year (2.2% below the U.S. average of $120,250).
  • 620 people work as Materials Engineers in Virginia — 2.7% of all U.S. Materials Engineers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.03: Materials Engineers jobs are more concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $77,490; the top 10% earn over $170,210.
  • Hourly equivalent: $56.57 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is New Mexico at $173,000.
  • Among engineering jobs in Virginia, Aerospace Engineers pays the most ($155,770).

Materials Engineers Job Market in Virginia

Key factors affecting compensation

Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Materials Engineers here earn $117,660 on average, placing the state 16th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $117,660 is roughly equivalent to $106,964 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Illinois ($122,070), Connecticut ($120,360), Massachusetts ($120,350) 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 Virginia?

The average Materials Engineers salary in Virginia is $117,660 per year (median $116,720), which is 2.2% below the national average of $120,250.

How does Virginia rank for Materials Engineers pay?

Virginia ranks 16th out of 45 states. The highest-paying state is New Mexico ($173,000/yr).

How much do entry-level Materials Engineers make in Virginia?

The lowest-paid 10% of Materials Engineers in Virginia earn about $77,490 per year and the 25th percentile is $83,840.

How much do Materials Engineers make per hour in Virginia?

About $56.57 per hour, based on the $117,660 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Materials Engineers work in Virginia?

BLS counts 620 Materials Engineers jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).

Explore more salary data