A materials engineer develops and tests the substances used to make products across industries. You solve problems by analyzing how materials perform under different conditions. The work requires a bachelor's degree and strong skills in science and math.
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Materials engineers select, test, and improve the materials used in manufacturing. You analyze data to understand how metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites behave in real-world applications. Your work involves monitoring processes, identifying what works and what doesn't, and staying current with new technologies and techniques. You make decisions about which materials will meet performance and cost requirements. You also communicate findings through writing and presentations to guide production teams and product designers.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Materials Engineers earn a median of $112,860 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 1,500 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You need a bachelor's degree in materials engineering or a related field like chemistry or physics. The coursework covers engineering principles, materials science, chemistry, and mathematics. During your studies, you'll learn to read technical information, think critically about problems, and apply scientific methods to real materials. Internships and lab work during college help you build hands-on experience. After graduation, many engineers pursue additional credentials to advance their careers.
Most materials engineers earn a bachelor's degree, which typically takes four years. The path is straightforward but demanding. If you're deciding whether this fits your timeline and interests, Pathly can map the materials engineer path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to build a plan that works for you.
Many materials engineers must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You like working with tangible things and solving practical problems. You enjoy analyzing data and understanding how systems work. Strong reading, science, and math skills matter here.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).