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Occupational Employment Statistics


DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

17-2131 Materials Engineers



Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.

Geography Click link for Career Profile EmploymentEmp SE*Percentiles
Mean10th25thMedian75th90th
Minnesota 20029$50.95/hr$31.66/hr$38.81/hr$47.33/hr$60.86/hr$75.30/hr


IndustryOES Employment (Statewide)OES Median Wage (Statewide)
ConstructionN/AN/A
Manufacturing60$40.61/hr
Trade, Transportation and UtilitiesN/AN/A
Professional and Business Services140$47.43/hr
 
Geography Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2022-2032
Central Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Northeast Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Northwest Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Southeast Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Southwest Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Duluth MN-WI MSA N/AN/AN/A
Fargo ND-MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
La Crosse WI-MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Rochester MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
St Cloud MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Northwest Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Northeast Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Southwest Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Southeast Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 170$47.43/hr6.4%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA 170$47.43/hrN/A
Minnesota 200$47.33/hr5.5%


Occupations Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2022-2032
Materials Scientists 370$50.84/hr8.2%
Nuclear Engineers N/AN/AN/A
Chemical Engineers 90$51.26/hr8.5%
Mechanical Engineers 5,660$46.81/hr13.7%
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects N/AN/AN/A
Commercial and Industrial Designers 890$38.93/hr5.9%
Electrical Engineers 3,960$51.18/hr4.9%
Architectural and Engineering Managers 4,020$82.67/hr7.5%
Petroleum Engineers 90$79.46/hr10.1%
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers 80$49.06/hr12.5%


  • Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists.
  • Perform managerial functions, such as preparing proposals and budgets, analyzing labor costs, and writing reports.
  • Monitor material performance and evaluate material deterioration.
  • Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
  • Modify properties of metal alloys, using thermal and mechanical treatments.
  • Review new product plans and make recommendations for material selection, based on design objectives, such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.
  • Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
  • Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
  • Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
  • Guide technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.