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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
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 25029$51.55/hr$30.31/hr$42.27/hr$47.94/hr$63.57/hr$66.18/hr


IndustryOES Employment (Statewide)OES Median Wage (Statewide)
ConstructionN/AN/A
Manufacturing120$55.63/hr
Trade, Transportation and UtilitiesN/AN/A
Professional and Business Services130$40.88/hr
 
Geography Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
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
Rochester MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
St Cloud MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Northwest Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Southeast Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Central Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Northeast Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Southeast Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Northwest Minnesota 10$25.62/hrN/A
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 250$47.94/hr5.7%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA 250$48.48/hrN/A
Minnesota 300$45.59/hr5.7%


Occupations Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
Materials Scientists 390$44.05/hr3.4%
Nuclear Engineers N/AN/AN/A
Chemical Engineers 80$41.01/hr11.9%
Mechanical Engineers 5,760$40.98/hr6.0%
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects N/AN/AN/A
Commercial and Industrial Designers 1,030$40.35/hr1.3%
Electrical Engineers 3,510$50.09/hr3.9%
Architectural and Engineering Managers 4,080$78.93/hr3.6%
Petroleum Engineers 110$65.16/hrN/A
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers 100$53.00/hr2.2%


  • 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.