Average Materials Engineers Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Materials Engineers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area command an impressive average annual salary of $155,490. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $115,480, reflecting the region's high demand for specialized engineering talent. The concentration of technology and advanced manufacturing industries in Silicon Valley directly drives this elevated compensation.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $155,490 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 29.7% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $215,220.
- Outlook: The local job market for Materials Engineers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, appears robust. With a total local workforce of 480 professionals, the area demonstrates a substantial presence of these specialists. The Location Quotient of 2.86 indicates a significantly higher concentration of Materials Engineers compared to the national average, suggesting strong and sustained demand within the region's key industries.
Salary Overview
The average Materials Engineers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earns+34.6%above the national average.
$74.8
$2,990
$12,958
Materials Engineers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries for Materials Engineers in a high-demand, high-cost-of-living area like San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, have experienced consistent growth over the past four years. Factors such as inflation, increasing demand for advanced materials in tech, and competitive pressures likely contribute to an upward trend in compensation for this specialized role.
Materials Engineers Salary Distribution in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Salary progression for Materials Engineers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, is strongly tied to experience. Entry-level positions typically start at lower percentiles, while senior engineers with extensive expertise and project leadership responsibilities can command salaries in the upper percentiles. The significant gap between entry-level and senior compensation underscores the value placed on accumulated knowledge and proven problem-solving capabilities in this competitive market.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $101,410 | $48.8 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $116,618 | $56.1 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $151,260 | $72.7 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $194,363 | $93.4 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $215,220 | $103.5 |
Detailed Materials Engineers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$155,490
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$155,490
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $155,490 for Materials Engineers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, is particularly attractive when considered against the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is precisely the national average. This means that the high earnings in this region translate directly into strong purchasing power, allowing professionals to maintain a comparable standard of living to the national average despite the potentially higher perceived costs associated with living in a major tech hub.
Job Market Context
480
Total Jobs
0.422
Per 1K Jobs
2.86
Location Quotient
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has 2.9x the national concentration of Materials Engineers jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
A Location Quotient of 2.86 for Materials Engineers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, signifies a highly concentrated market. This indicates that the region employs nearly three times the number of Materials Engineers relative to the national average for its workforce size. Such a high concentration suggests a specialized demand driven by local industries, potentially leading to a competitive environment for both employers seeking talent and engineers seeking opportunities.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Materials Engineers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA Materials Engineers Salary | $138,470↓ 11% | 42 mi |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA Materials Engineers Salary | $112,340↓ 28% | 54 mi |
Comparing salaries near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Hiring Materials Engineerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Materials Engineers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median annual salary for a Materials Engineers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $155,490. This typically ranges from $101,410 for entry-level positions to $215,220 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 34.6% higher than the national median of $115,480.
Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a lucrative place for Materials Engineers?
Yes, it is a highly lucrative location for Materials Engineers.Materials Engineers in this region earn significantly above the national average salary, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, maximizing earning potential.
Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a good place to live for Materials Engineers?
The Cost of Living Index in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($138,470) and Stockton-Lodi, CA.
How does the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Materials Engineer salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Materials Engineers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, is $155,490, which is substantially higher than the national average of $115,480.
What is the concentration of Materials Engineers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 2.86, indicating that Materials Engineers are nearly three times more prevalent in this region than the national average.
Does the high salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA come with a high cost of living?
No, the Cost of Living Index in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, is 100, which is the national average, meaning the high salaries offer excellent purchasing power.
How many Materials Engineers work in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area?
There are approximately 480 Materials Engineers working in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metropolitan area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 480 employees in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area with a job density of 0.422 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Materials Engineers Salaries by State
Top Jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- All Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Computer and Mathematical Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Management Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Software Developers Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Healthcare Support Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- Browse All Jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Materials Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA