Hiring guide · Science, Engineering & Lab
How to Hire a Materials Engineer
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring materials engineers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $112,860), recruit through community college and university engineering technology and science programs, verify PE license where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for materials engineers
There are about 23,800 materials engineers employed in the U.S., with roughly 1,300 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +7.5% from 2025–35 (much faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $72,300–$88,080 | $34.76–$42.35 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $112,860 | $54.26 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $142,720 | $68.62 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $175,720 | $84.48 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Bachelor's degree (typical entry level)
- Materials science
- Curiosity
Nice-to-haves
- PE license
- ASM certifications
- Six Sigma
- Experience with SEM
Where to find materials engineers
- Community college and university engineering technology and science programs
- Co-op and internship programs
- Professional societies such as ASCE, ASME and IEEE
- Military technical veterans
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Metallurgical Engineer, Materials Scientist, Polymer Engineer, Failure Analysis Engineer
Screening checklist
- Degree, transcript or credential verification (PE, FE, ASCP) where required
- A practical exercise, lab test or CAD drawing review
- Background checks for regulated or secure facilities
- Reference checks focused on accuracy and documentation
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Describe a failure you analyzed.”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
2. “What tests have you run?”
What a strong answer includes: List.
3. “Explain fatigue.”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “What materials do you know best?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
5. “Why materials?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Investigate a Part Failure (see the steps)
- Run a Tensile Test (see the steps)
- Select a Material for a New Part (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as ABET, PE license, FE exam
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Materials Engineer 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Materials Engineer training. Show them the path forward: Materials Engineer I → Materials Engineer → Senior Engineer → Materials Manager.
Hiring materials engineers: FAQ
How much should I pay a materials engineer?
The U.S. median wage for materials engineers is $112,860 per year ($54.26/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($88,080), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($142,720). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a materials engineer have?
BLS lists “bachelor's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for PE license and ASM certifications where relevant, plus skills such as materials science, mechanical testing, and microscopy.
How long does it take to train a new materials engineer?
Becoming qualified typically takes 4-year engineering degree. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”