General
Materials Engineering And Materials Science
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Materials Engineering And Materials Science.
Entry Level Salary
$53,104
Median Salary
$119,744
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
17.8%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $4,789,760
Entry (Early)
$53,104
Median (Prime)
$119,744
High (Prime)
$128,000
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
+22k
+564k
+630k
$25k / yr
-68k
+474k
+540k
$50k / yr
-158k
+384k
+450k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
46
24
24
$25k / yr
Never
27
26
$50k / yr
Never
30
29
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
∞
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-63%
436%
496%
$50k / yr
-73%
176%
207%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate48.9%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Engineers, All Other
8.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$70,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$118,000|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Management occupations
8.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$83,300
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$152,023|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Materials engineers
4.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$79,911
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$107,000|$108,310
openings
1,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.7%
Postsecondary teachers
4.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$24,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$50,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Industrial engineers, including health and safety
3.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$71,846
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$94,391|$101,490
openings
26,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +10.6%
Architectural and engineering managers
3.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$66,640
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$150,000|$167,740
openings
14,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.8%
Software developers
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$80,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$145,000|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Physical scientists, all other
2.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$11,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,000|$117,960
openings
2,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
Mechanical engineers
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$62,475
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$109,174|$102,320
openings
18,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +9.1%
Top executives
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$113,750
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$175,000|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| materials engineering. | Undergrad Certificate | 3 | Data N/A |
| materials engineering. | Bachelor's Degree | 58 | $78,250 - $107,557 |
| materials engineering. | Master's Degree | 78 | $108,485 - $146,629 |
| materials engineering. | Doctoral Degree | 70 | $128,018 - $128,018 |