Average Materials Engineers Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Materials Engineers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area earn a substantial average annual salary of $136,510. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $115,480, indicating a strong demand and higher compensation for specialized roles in this region. The concentration of relevant industries and the need for advanced material science expertise likely drive this elevated pay scale.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $136,510 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 1.5% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $191,880.
- Outlook: The job market for Materials Engineers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria appears robust, supported by a local workforce of 760 professionals in this field. A Location Quotient of 1.65 suggests that this area has a significantly higher concentration of Materials Engineers compared to the national average, pointing to a strong and established demand for their skills within the local economy.
Salary Overview
The average Materials Engineers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earns+18.2%above the national average.
$65.6
$2,625
$11,376
Materials Engineers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries for Materials Engineers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area have experienced consistent growth over the past four years. Economic expansion, technological advancements in material science, and increasing demand from key industries within the region would typically contribute to upward salary trends for this profession.
Materials Engineers Salary Distribution in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Salary progression for Materials Engineers typically scales with experience, with entry-level positions commanding lower salaries and senior or lead roles earning considerably more. The percentile gaps in salary distributions signify clear career progression pathways, rewarding accumulated expertise, project management skills, and leadership responsibilities within the field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $76,900 | $37 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $102,383 | $49.2 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $135,400 | $65.1 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $170,638 | $82 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $191,880 | $92.3 |
Detailed Materials Engineers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$136,510
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$136,510
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $136,510 in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria presents a highly favorable financial outlook, especially considering the local Cost of Living Index is exactly at the national average of 100. This means that the higher nominal salary directly translates to strong purchasing power, allowing professionals to maintain or improve their standard of living compared to national benchmarks.
Job Market Context
760
Total Jobs
0.244
Per 1K Jobs
1.65
Location Quotient
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has 1.6x 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.
With a Location Quotient of 1.65, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area demonstrates a notable concentration of Materials Engineers, exceeding the national average by 65%. This indicates a competitive yet abundant job market where employers actively seek specialized talent, and professionals have ample opportunities to find roles aligned with their expertise.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Materials Engineers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Materials Engineers Salary | $122,860↓ 10% | 35 mi |
| Lexington Park, MD Materials Engineers Salary | $141,020↑ 3% | 55 mi |
Comparing salaries near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Hiring Materials Engineerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Materials Engineers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median annual salary for a Materials Engineers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $136,510. This typically ranges from $76,900 for entry-level positions to $191,880 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 18.2% higher than the national median of $115,480.
Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a lucrative place for Materials Engineerss?
Yes, it is a highly lucrative area for Materials Engineers.The average salary of $136,510 is significantly above the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, maximizing earning potential.
Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a good place to live for Materials Engineers?
The Cost of Living Index in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Some top paying nearby cities include Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($122,860) and Lexington Park, MD.
How does the local Materials Engineer salary compare to the national average?
Materials Engineers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria earn an average of $136,510 annually, which is substantially higher than the national average of $115,480.
What is the concentration of Materials Engineers in this region?
The region has a concentration of Materials Engineers with a Location Quotient of 1.65, meaning it is 65% more concentrated than the national average.
How does the cost of living affect the salary?
The cost of living in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is 100, which is the national average. This means the higher salary offers excellent purchasing power.
What is the total number of Materials Engineers in the local workforce?
There are approximately 760 Materials Engineers employed within the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 760 employees in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area with a job density of 0.244 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Materials Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV