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Materials Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Materials Engineer III make in the United States?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Materials Engineer III in the United States is $102,360 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.

However, a Materials Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $120,557
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $93,092 to $111,885
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $84,654
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View as table View as graph 25% $93,092 10% $84,654 90% $120,557 75% $111,885 $102,360 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Materials Engineer III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $111,885 $9,324 $2,152 $54
Average $102,360 $8,530 $1,968 $49
25th Percentile $93,092 $7,758 $1,790 $45
Check out Materials Engineer III Job Openings in the United States
ENGINEER III

Bread Financial - Columbus, OH

MANUFACTURING ENGINEER III

Lincoln Electric - Cleveland, OH

SOFTWARE ENGINEER III

JPMorgan Chase & Co - Columbus, OH

SOFTWARE ENGINEER III

JPMorgan Chase & Co - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Materials Engineer III Salaries

A Materials Engineer III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Materials Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Materials Engineer III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Materials Engineer I (0-2 years): $76,576
  • Materials Engineer II (2-4 years): $90,427
  • Materials Engineer III (4-7 years): $102,360
  • Materials Engineer IV (7+ years): $124,895
  • Materials Engineer V (7-10 years): $152,851
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Materials Engineer I0-2 years$76,576
Materials Engineer II2-4 years$90,427
Materials Engineer III4-7 years$102,360
Materials Engineer IV7+ years$124,895
Materials Engineer V7-10 years$152,851
$76,576 Materials...
$90,427 Materials...
$102,360 Materials...
$124,895 Materials...
$152,851 Materials...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Materials Engineer IIIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $129,107
  • San Francisco: $127,837
  • Oakland: $125,002

What Skills Can Increase a Materials Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 17.04% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Test Plans (Mentioned in 2.25% Job Postings): A test plan is a document detailing the objectives, resources, and processes for a specific test for a software or hardware product. The plan typically contains a detailed understanding of the eventual workflow.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 1.29% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 17.04%
Test Plans 2.25%
Continuous Improvement 1.29%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Materials Engineer III's salary.
  • Chemistry: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Product Development: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Chemistry
$107,478
5%
Product Development
$107,478
5%
Problem Solving
$106,454
4%
Mechanical Engineering
$106,454
4%
Leadership
$106,454
4%
Project Management
$106,454
4%
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How Education impacts a Materials Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Materials Engineer IIIs enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Materials Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $109,784 and $115,619).

Materials Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Materials Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 1.0%
Associates 1.0%
Bachelors 21.8%
Masters 31.7%
Doctorate 44.6%
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Materials Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Materials Engineer III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 18, 2021

Materials Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Materials Engineer III, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Materials Engineer III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Materials Engineer IV $124,895 22%
Metallurgical Engineer IV $120,744 18%

Salary Trends for Materials Engineer III

Salaries for a Materials Engineer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $107,580 in 2023 to around $105,677 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Materials Engineer III salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Materials Engineer III Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$107,580
2024
$106,849
2025
$105,677
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $107,580
2024 $106,849
2025 $105,677
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Materials Engineer III

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Materials Engineer III

Here are companies hiring for Materials Engineer III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Materials Engineer III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Materials Engineer III

1. Where can a Materials Engineer III earn the most?

A Materials Engineer III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Materials Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Materials Engineer III is $129,107.

2. What is the highest pay for Materials Engineer III?

The highest pay for Materials Engineer III is $120,557.

3. What is the lowest pay for Materials Engineer III?

The lowest pay for Materials Engineer III is $84,654.

4. What are the responsibilities of Materials Engineer III?

Plans for the most cost-effective utilization of materials. Applies knowledge of material science to recommend engineering and manufacturing changes to attain design objectives in the most economical manner possible. Reviews blueprints and specifications to determine the appropriate materials needed to achieve successful completion of initiatives. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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