Salary guide, May 2025
Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer pay by metro, ranked
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
Of 393 metros, BLS published an exact annual median for 90. The highest is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $156,730 and the lowest is Utica-Rome, NY at $71,820. 0 more are published but not rankable and 303 are not published by bls.
Broader occupation · SOC 17-2131 Materials Engineers
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title.
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$156,730
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$156,130
- Boulder, CO$151,940
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$147,490
- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$144,010
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$140,640
- Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL$138,430
- Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH$137,290
- Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY$134,630
- Decatur, AL$134,370
- Charleston-North Charleston, SC$131,080
- Bakersfield-Delano, CA$130,440
- Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$130,040
- San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$129,480
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$128,250
- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN$127,740
- Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN$127,230
- Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$125,750
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$125,200
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$125,190
- Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ$124,990
- San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$124,180
- Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL$123,720
- Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX$123,250
- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA$122,450
Bars show the top 25 of 90 ranked. The table below lists all 90. Literal BLS medians, May 2025.
| Rank | Metro | BLS occupation | 25th | Median | 75th | Employment | LQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $130,770 | $156,730 | $180,130 | 550 | 3.32 |
| 2 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $128,710 | $156,130 | $178,710 | 820 | 2.68 |
| 3 | Boulder, CO | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $110,490 | $151,940 | $166,230 | 210 | 7.58 |
| 4 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $104,820 | $147,490 | $162,770 | 330 | 0.23 |
| 5 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $101,070 | $144,010 | $162,260 | 200 | 1.03 |
| 6 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $113,780 | $140,640 | $180,480 | 660 | 1.44 |
| 7 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $118,830 | $138,430 | $138,430 | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS |
| 8 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $105,590 | $137,290 | $162,430 | 260 | 4.85 |
| 9 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $106,440 | $134,630 | $161,820 | 130 | 1.92 |
| 10 | Decatur, AL | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $98,630 | $134,370 | $165,530 | 50 | 5.83 |
| 11 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $109,290 | $131,080 | $131,080 | 200 | 3.49 |
| 12 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $108,520 | $130,440 | $168,120 | 50 | 1.09 |
| 13 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $109,260 | $130,040 | $137,540 | 100 | 0.6 |
| 14 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $97,560 | $129,480 | $160,540 | 340 | 0.99 |
| 15 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $96,900 | $128,250 | $158,530 | 70 | 0.39 |
| 16 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $95,640 | $127,740 | $160,320 | 380 | 2.33 |
| 17 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $85,560 | $127,230 | $127,240 | 160 | 1.02 |
| 18 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $82,100 | $125,750 | $164,630 | 480 | 2.03 |
| 19 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $102,770 | $125,200 | $146,980 | 1,250 | 1.37 |
| 20 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $94,670 | $125,190 | $159,750 | 320 | 0.75 |
| 21 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $101,190 | $124,990 | $142,180 | 310 | 0.88 |
| 22 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $93,200 | $124,180 | $135,590 | 260 | 1.14 |
| 23 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $96,080 | $123,720 | $143,640 | 130 | 3.65 |
| 24 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $87,100 | $123,250 | $172,240 | 560 | 1.15 |
| 25 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $110,190 | $122,450 | $128,500 | 60 | 1.2 |
| 26 | Columbia, SC | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $78,990 | $121,290 | $176,740 | 40 | 0.63 |
| 27 | Huntsville, AL | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $100,640 | $120,720 | $151,300 | 280 | 7.07 |
| 28 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $100,310 | $117,700 | $161,940 | 440 | 0.74 |
| 29 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $102,230 | $117,000 | $131,120 | 80 | 1.5 |
| 30 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $83,840 | $116,720 | $139,010 | 190 | 1.69 |
| 31 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $89,440 | $116,510 | $129,090 | 30 | 0.58 |
| 32 | St. Louis, MO-IL | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $83,430 | $114,670 | $130,900 | 120 | 0.63 |
| 33 | Worcester, MA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $100,280 | $114,100 | $127,400 | 220 | 4.27 |
| 34 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $95,130 | $111,480 | $149,210 | 1,020 | 2.58 |
| 35 | Madison, WI | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $105,370 | $111,050 | $141,500 | 30 | 0.52 |
| 36 | Tulsa, OK | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $90,820 | $110,690 | $129,910 | 70 | 1.04 |
| 37 | Toledo, OH | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $87,070 | $110,620 | $132,040 | 260 | 6 |
| 38 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $103,670 | $110,350 | $148,180 | 130 | 0.45 |
| 39 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $82,860 | $109,100 | $124,660 | 90 | 0.36 |
| 40 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $97,710 | $108,840 | $133,510 | 60 | 0.64 |
| 41 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $91,140 | $106,580 | $133,160 | 230 | 3.64 |
| 42 | Idaho Falls, ID | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $106,560 | $106,560 | $133,960 | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS |
| 43 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $88,380 | $106,450 | $138,520 | 80 | 0.97 |
| 44 | Cleveland, OH | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $84,000 | $106,340 | $143,020 | 270 | 1.76 |
| 45 | Ann Arbor, MI | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $79,360 | $105,950 | $127,220 | 50 | 1.59 |
| 46 | Youngstown-Warren, OH | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $85,940 | $105,400 | $129,380 | 30 | 1.35 |
| 47 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $93,140 | $104,910 | $135,190 | 140 | 0.72 |
| 48 | Mobile, AL | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $76,760 | $104,610 | $123,690 | 80 | 3.11 |
| 49 | Columbus, OH | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $84,550 | $104,370 | $137,300 | 220 | 1.38 |
| 50 | Jacksonville, FL | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $88,610 | $104,360 | $127,810 | 60 | 0.54 |
| 51 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $86,400 | $104,310 | $128,040 | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS |
| 52 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $93,360 | $103,660 | $110,990 | 50 | 1.35 |
| 53 | Omaha, NE-IA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $80,780 | $103,410 | $117,060 | 50 | 0.73 |
| 54 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $80,900 | $103,360 | $142,730 | 70 | 1.78 |
| 55 | Akron, OH | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $88,630 | $102,630 | $139,540 | 110 | 2.39 |
| 56 | Richmond, VA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $77,600 | $102,440 | $132,450 | 200 | 2.07 |
| 57 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $87,180 | $101,670 | $117,570 | 130 | 1.26 |
| 58 | Kansas City, MO-KS | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $76,180 | $101,230 | $128,940 | 100 | 0.6 |
| 59 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $80,180 | $101,100 | $130,470 | 530 | 1.26 |
| 60 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $81,910 | $100,850 | $123,550 | 110 | 0.54 |
| 61 | Ogden, UT | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $86,450 | $100,770 | $130,560 | 110 | 2.88 |
| 62 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $84,610 | $100,420 | $113,120 | 40 | 0.44 |
| 63 | Canton-Massillon, OH | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $85,030 | $100,250 | $104,120 | 30 | 1.3 |
| 64 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $75,390 | $100,070 | $127,570 | 460 | 1.64 |
| 65 | Wichita, KS | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $83,860 | $100,000 | $135,880 | 190 | 4.25 |
| 66 | Birmingham, AL | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $77,210 | $99,780 | $128,000 | 120 | 1.55 |
| 67 | Fort Wayne, IN | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $82,380 | $99,640 | $125,260 | 50 | 1.51 |
| 68 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $76,220 | $99,590 | $136,520 | 250 | 0.38 |
| 69 | Reading, PA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $79,360 | $99,040 | $122,410 | 50 | 1.86 |
| 70 | Waterbury-Shelton, CT | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $88,860 | $98,460 | $112,920 | 40 | 1.6 |
| 71 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $78,880 | $98,440 | $105,710 | 40 | 0.85 |
| 72 | Greensboro-High Point, NC | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $82,290 | $98,380 | $106,110 | 170 | 3.17 |
| 73 | Lincoln, NE | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $57,030 | $96,960 | $105,700 | 50 | 1.88 |
| 74 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $84,360 | $96,790 | $112,490 | 90 | 0.74 |
| 75 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $75,960 | $96,740 | $126,280 | 130 | 0.32 |
| 76 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $67,090 | $96,730 | $129,230 | 90 | 0.47 |
| 77 | Spartanburg, SC | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $86,200 | $96,610 | $106,190 | 30 | 1.35 |
| 78 | Tucson, AZ | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $95,930 | $95,930 | $121,360 | 150 | 2.64 |
| 79 | Oklahoma City, OK | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $73,940 | $95,680 | $108,870 | 100 | 1.03 |
| 80 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $83,940 | $94,700 | $141,080 | 30 | 1.31 |
| 81 | Pittsburgh, PA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $69,100 | $92,740 | $122,780 | 120 | 0.74 |
| 82 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $79,690 | $89,040 | $126,100 | 70 | 0.45 |
| 83 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $82,720 | $85,130 | $102,910 | 40 | 2.38 |
| 84 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $76,740 | $85,000 | $120,050 | 50 | 0.51 |
| 85 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $64,630 | $84,880 | $108,120 | 100 | 1.1 |
| 86 | Knoxville, TN | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $74,490 | $83,240 | $119,370 | 80 | 1.3 |
| 87 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $72,100 | $82,800 | $133,780 | 90 | 0.54 |
| 88 | Lancaster, PA | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $79,270 | $79,270 | $99,120 | 30 | 0.94 |
| 89 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $73,750 | $77,470 | $107,190 | 250 | 2.08 |
| 90 | Utica-Rome, NY | Materials Engineers (17-2131) | $67,950 | $71,820 | $80,340 | 40 | 2.09 |
What should you know about not published by BLS?
Abilene, TX, Aguadilla, PR, Albany, GA, Albany, OR, Albuquerque, NM, Alexandria, LA, Altoona, PA, Amarillo, TX, Ames, IA, Amherst Town-Northampton, MA, Anchorage, AK, Anniston-Oxford, AL, Appleton, WI, Arecibo, PR, Asheville, NC, Athens-Clarke County, GA, Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ, Auburn-Opelika, AL, Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC, Bangor, ME, Barnstable Town, MA, Baton Rouge, LA, Battle Creek, MI, Bay City, MI, Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX, Beckley, WV, Bellingham, WA, Bend, OR, Billings, MT, Binghamton, NY, Bismarck, ND, Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA, Bloomington, IL, Bloomington, IN, Boise City, ID, Bowling Green, KY, Bozeman, MT, Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA, Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT, Brownsville-Harlingen, TX, Brunswick-St. Simons, GA, Burlington, NC, Burlington-South Burlington, VT, Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL, Cape Girardeau, MO-IL, Carson City, NV, Casper, WY, Cedar Rapids, IA, Chambersburg, PA, Champaign-Urbana, IL, Charleston, WV, Charlottesville, VA, Cheyenne, WY, Chico, CA, Clarksville, TN-KY, Cleveland, TN, Coeur d'Alene, ID, College Station-Bryan, TX, Colorado Springs, CO, Columbia, MO, Columbus, GA-AL, Columbus, IN, Corpus Christi, TX, Corvallis, OR, Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL, Dalton, GA, Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL, Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL, Decatur, IL, Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, Dothan, AL, Dover, DE, Dubuque, IA, Duluth, MN-WI, Eagle Pass, TX, Eau Claire, WI, El Centro, CA, Elizabethtown, KY, Elkhart-Goshen, IN, Elmira, NY, El Paso, TX, Enid, OK, Erie, PA, Eugene-Springfield, OR, Evansville, IN, Fairbanks-College, AK, Fargo, ND-MN, Farmington, NM, Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR, Flagstaff, AZ, Flint, MI, Florence, SC, Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL, Fond du Lac, WI, Fort Smith, AR-OK, Fresno, CA, Gadsden, AL, Gainesville, FL, Gainesville, GA, Gettysburg, PA, Glens Falls, NY, Goldsboro, NC, Grand Forks, ND-MN, Grand Island, NE, Grand Junction, CO, Grants Pass, OR, Great Falls, MT, Greeley, CO, Green Bay, WI, Greenville, NC, Guayama, PR, Gulfport-Biloxi, MS, Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV, Hammond, LA, Hanford-Corcoran, CA, Harrisonburg, VA, Hattiesburg, MS, Helena, MT, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC, Hinesville, GA, Homosassa Springs, FL, Hot Springs, AR, Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA, Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Iowa City, IA, Ithaca, NY, Jackson, MI, Jackson, MS, Jackson, TN, Jacksonville, NC, Janesville-Beloit, WI, Jefferson City, MO, Johnson City, TN, Johnstown, PA, Jonesboro, AR, Joplin, MO-KS, Kahului-Wailuku, HI, Kalamazoo-Portage, MI, Kankakee, IL, Kennewick-Richland, WA, Kenosha, WI, Killeen-Temple, TX, Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA, Kingston, NY, Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY, Kokomo, IN, La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN, Lafayette, LA, Lake Charles, LA, Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ, Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL, Lansing-East Lansing, MI, Laredo, TX, Las Cruces, NM, Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV, Lawrence, KS, Lawton, OK, Lebanon, PA, Lewiston, ID-WA, Lewiston-Auburn, ME, Lexington-Fayette, KY, Lexington Park, MD, Lima, OH, Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR, Logan, UT-ID, Longview, TX, Longview-Kelso, WA, Lubbock, TX, Lynchburg, VA, Macon-Bibb County, GA, Manchester-Nashua, NH, distribution management software, KS, Mankato, MN, Mansfield, OH, Mayaguez, PR, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX, Medford, OR, Merced, CA, Michigan City-La Porte, IN, Midland, MI, Midland, TX, Minot, ND, Missoula, MT, Modesto, CA, Monroe, LA, Monroe, MI, Montgomery, AL, Morgantown, WV, Morristown, TN, Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA, Muncie, IN, Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI, Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC, Napa, CA, Naples-Marco Island, FL, New Haven, CT, New Orleans-Metairie, LA, Niles, MI, North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL, Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT, Ocala, FL, Odessa, TX, Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA, Oshkosh-Neenah, WI, Owensboro, KY, Paducah, KY-IL, Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL, Parkersburg-Vienna, WV, Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL, Peoria, IL, Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC, Pittsfield, MA, Pocatello, ID, Ponce, PR, Portland-South Portland, ME, Port St. Lucie, FL, Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ, Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT, Pueblo, CO, Punta Gorda, FL, Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI, Rapid City, SD, Redding, CA, Reno, NV, Roanoke, VA, Rochester, MN, Rochester, NY, Rockford, IL, Rocky Mount, NC, Rome, GA, Saginaw, MI, St. Cloud, MN, St. George, UT, St. Joseph, MO-KS, Salem, OR, Salinas, CA, Salisbury, MD, San Angelo, TX, Sandusky, OH, San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR, San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, Santa Fe, NM, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA, Savannah, GA, Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA, Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL, Sebring, FL, Sheboygan, WI, Sherman-Denison, TX, Shreveport-Bossier City, LA, Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ, Sioux City, IA-NE-SD, Sioux Falls, SD-MN, Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA, South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI, Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA, Springfield, IL, Springfield, MA, Springfield, MO, Springfield, OH, State College, PA, Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA, Stockton-Lodi, CA, Sumter, SC, Syracuse, NY, Tallahassee, FL, Terre Haute, IN, Texarkana, TX-AR, Topeka, KS, Traverse City, MI, Tuscaloosa, AL, Twin Falls, ID, Tyler, TX, Urban Honolulu, HI, Valdosta, GA, Vallejo, CA, Victoria, TX, Vineland, NJ, Visalia, CA, Waco, TX, Walla Walla, WA, Warner Robins, GA, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA, Watertown-Fort Drum, NY, Wausau, WI, Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH, Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA, Wheeling, WV-OH, Wichita Falls, TX, Wildwood-The Villages, FL, Williamsport, PA, Wilmington, NC, Winchester, VA-WV, Winston-Salem, NC, Yakima, WA, York-Hanover, PA, Yuba City, CA, Yuma, AZ.
What should you know about role pay against all occupations, by metro?
Ratio = this role's published median divided by the all-occupations median in the same metro, same units, both exact. A ratio above 1.00 means the role's median is higher than the metro's all-occupations median. It makes no cost-of-living claim. Location quotient (LQ) is employment concentration, not a wage index.
- Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL2.97
- Decatur, AL2.90
- Bakersfield-Delano, CA2.75
- Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH2.75
- Charleston-North Charleston, SC2.67
- Columbia, SC2.61
- Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN2.58
- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN2.55
- Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL2.52
- Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX2.49
- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD2.44
- Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ2.43
- Youngstown-Warren, OH2.41
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ2.40
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ2.38
- Tulsa, OK2.37
- Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC2.36
- Huntsville, AL2.33
- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA2.33
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD2.31
- Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY2.30
- Toledo, OH2.29
- St. Louis, MO-IL2.29
- Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC2.29
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX2.29
Bars show the highest 25 of 90. The table lists all.
| Metro | Role median | All-occupations median | Ratio | LQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $138,430 | $46,630 | 2.97 | Not published by BLS |
| Decatur, AL | $134,370 | $46,280 | 2.90 | 5.83 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $130,440 | $47,470 | 2.75 | 1.09 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $137,290 | $49,980 | 2.75 | 4.85 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $131,080 | $49,150 | 2.67 | 3.49 |
| Columbia, SC | $121,290 | $46,430 | 2.61 | 0.63 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $127,230 | $49,340 | 2.58 | 1.02 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $127,740 | $50,170 | 2.55 | 2.33 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $123,720 | $49,030 | 2.52 | 3.65 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $123,250 | $49,410 | 2.49 | 1.15 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $144,010 | $59,070 | 2.44 | 1.03 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $124,990 | $51,380 | 2.43 | 0.88 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $105,400 | $43,800 | 2.41 | 1.35 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $147,490 | $61,430 | 2.40 | 0.23 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $116,510 | $48,990 | 2.38 | 0.58 |
| Tulsa, OK | $110,690 | $46,670 | 2.37 | 1.04 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $116,720 | $49,430 | 2.36 | 1.69 |
| Huntsville, AL | $120,720 | $51,740 | 2.33 | 7.07 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $122,450 | $52,510 | 2.33 | 1.2 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $125,190 | $54,310 | 2.31 | 0.75 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $134,630 | $58,460 | 2.30 | 1.92 |
| Toledo, OH | $110,620 | $48,220 | 2.29 | 6 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $114,670 | $49,990 | 2.29 | 0.63 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $106,580 | $46,580 | 2.29 | 3.64 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $117,700 | $51,440 | 2.29 | 0.74 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $106,560 | $46,800 | 2.28 | Not published by BLS |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,100 | $48,400 | 2.25 | 0.36 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $125,200 | $55,850 | 2.24 | 1.37 |
| Mobile, AL | $104,610 | $47,000 | 2.23 | 3.11 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $103,360 | $46,700 | 2.21 | 1.78 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $100,250 | $45,810 | 2.19 | 1.3 |
| Boulder, CO | $151,940 | $69,580 | 2.18 | 7.58 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,040 | $59,750 | 2.18 | 0.6 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $156,130 | $72,610 | 2.15 | 2.68 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $104,360 | $48,830 | 2.14 | 0.54 |
| Cleveland, OH | $106,340 | $50,140 | 2.12 | 1.76 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $124,180 | $58,690 | 2.12 | 1.14 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $128,250 | $60,690 | 2.11 | 0.39 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $98,380 | $46,570 | 2.11 | 3.17 |
| Akron, OH | $102,630 | $48,840 | 2.10 | 2.39 |
| Wichita, KS | $100,000 | $47,630 | 2.10 | 4.25 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $104,910 | $49,990 | 2.10 | 0.72 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $106,450 | $50,790 | 2.10 | 0.97 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $99,640 | $47,700 | 2.09 | 1.51 |
| Birmingham, AL | $99,780 | $47,770 | 2.09 | 1.55 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $103,410 | $49,660 | 2.08 | 0.73 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $100,420 | $48,370 | 2.08 | 0.44 |
| Ogden, UT | $100,770 | $48,900 | 2.06 | 2.88 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $100,850 | $48,940 | 2.06 | 0.54 |
| Columbus, OH | $104,370 | $51,340 | 2.03 | 1.38 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $96,610 | $47,650 | 2.03 | 1.35 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $95,680 | $47,230 | 2.03 | 1.03 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $125,750 | $62,320 | 2.02 | 2.03 |
| Tucson, AZ | $95,930 | $47,760 | 2.01 | 2.64 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $104,310 | $51,990 | 2.01 | Not published by BLS |
| Reading, PA | $99,040 | $49,440 | 2.00 | 1.86 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $101,230 | $50,820 | 1.99 | 0.6 |
| Richmond, VA | $102,440 | $51,460 | 1.99 | 2.07 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $96,740 | $48,640 | 1.99 | 0.32 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $98,440 | $49,610 | 1.98 | 0.85 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $140,640 | $71,060 | 1.98 | 1.44 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $101,100 | $51,170 | 1.98 | 1.26 |
| Worcester, MA | $114,100 | $57,830 | 1.97 | 4.27 |
| Lincoln, NE | $96,960 | $49,800 | 1.95 | 1.88 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $117,000 | $60,720 | 1.93 | 1.5 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $100,070 | $52,080 | 1.92 | 1.64 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $98,460 | $51,440 | 1.91 | 1.6 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $105,950 | $55,380 | 1.91 | 1.59 |
| Madison, WI | $111,050 | $58,080 | 1.91 | 0.52 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $101,670 | $53,680 | 1.89 | 1.26 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $96,790 | $51,160 | 1.89 | 0.74 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $92,740 | $49,650 | 1.87 | 0.74 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $156,730 | $84,050 | 1.86 | 3.32 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $110,350 | $59,320 | 1.86 | 0.45 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $99,590 | $54,720 | 1.82 | 0.38 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $108,840 | $59,940 | 1.82 | 0.64 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $85,000 | $46,890 | 1.81 | 0.51 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $84,880 | $47,570 | 1.78 | 1.1 |
| Knoxville, TN | $83,240 | $47,080 | 1.77 | 1.3 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $89,040 | $50,390 | 1.77 | 0.45 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $82,800 | $47,010 | 1.76 | 0.54 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $85,130 | $48,780 | 1.75 | 2.38 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $129,480 | $74,260 | 1.74 | 0.99 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $94,700 | $55,310 | 1.71 | 1.31 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $96,730 | $56,950 | 1.70 | 0.47 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $111,480 | $66,620 | 1.67 | 2.58 |
| Lancaster, PA | $79,270 | $48,210 | 1.64 | 0.94 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $103,660 | $63,490 | 1.63 | 1.35 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $71,820 | $48,970 | 1.47 | 2.09 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $77,470 | $55,240 | 1.40 | 2.08 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 17-2131 Materials Engineers, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
National page for Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer · Pay range finder
How should you read Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking?
Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking: Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer, mapped to Materials Engineers (17-2131), in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has a published annual median of $156,730 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount.
A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
For the same Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking: Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer, mapped to Materials Engineers (17-2131), in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA row, the published lower quartile is $130,770 and the upper quartile is $180,130. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
The Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking: Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer, mapped to Materials Engineers (17-2131), in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA employment estimate is 550. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking: Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer, mapped to Materials Engineers (17-2131), in Youngstown-Warren, OH has a published annual median of $105,400 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount. A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
For the same Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking: Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer, mapped to Materials Engineers (17-2131), in Youngstown-Warren, OH row, the published lower quartile is $85,940 and the upper quartile is $129,380. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
The Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking: Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer, mapped to Materials Engineers (17-2131), in Youngstown-Warren, OH employment estimate is 30. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking: Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer, mapped to Materials Engineers (17-2131), in Utica-Rome, NY has a published annual median of $71,820 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount. A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
For the same Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking: Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer, mapped to Materials Engineers (17-2131), in Utica-Rome, NY row, the published lower quartile is $67,950 and the upper quartile is $80,340. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
The Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking: Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer, mapped to Materials Engineers (17-2131), in Utica-Rome, NY employment estimate is 40. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Which questions matter for Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking?
Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking: Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer, mapped to Materials Engineers (17-2131), in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has a published annual median of $156,730 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening.
Does Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking give an exact offer for my plant?
Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking: Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer, mapped to Materials Engineers (17-2131), in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has a published annual median of $156,730 for 2025-05. This is an occupation estimate across employers, not a quoted starting rate for your opening. Read the occupation name with the amount. A narrower plant title does not turn a broader BLS occupation into a separately measured job.
What does the wage band in Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking describe?
For the same Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking: Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer, mapped to Materials Engineers (17-2131), in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA row, the published lower quartile is $130,770 and the upper quartile is $180,130. These are wage distribution points, not junior and senior job grades. A person’s equipment knowledge, shift requirements and actual duties still need a separate discussion. A missing percentile stays missing rather than being filled from another occupation.
Does the employment figure in Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking measure available candidates?
The Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking: Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer, mapped to Materials Engineers (17-2131), in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA employment estimate is 550. Employment describes people already working in the measured occupation and area. It does not count available applicants, people willing to move or candidates interested in your plant. Keep that distinction when using this Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer metro ranking to plan a search or discuss an offer with a hiring manager.
Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer source figures · Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer source figures · Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer source figures · Methodology
What does this ranking mean for your opening?
Metallurgical engineering is a highly specialized craft that is poorly represented by general engineering wage data. When you evaluate regional rankings, remember that your plant needs an engineer who can manage the microstructural integrity of your metal components, not just a general mechanical engineer.
Recruiter's read. Qualitative interpretation, not another BLS estimate.
Metallurgical engineering is a highly specialized craft that is poorly represented by general engineering wage data. When you evaluate regional rankings, remember that your plant needs an engineer who can manage the microstructural integrity of your metal components, not just a general mechanical engineer. General salary averages do not capture the market demand for a metallurgist who can successfully defend case depth records or heat treat parameters during a critical NADCAP or other special process audit.
The published data does not distinguish between a researcher in an academic setting and a plant-floor metallurgist who is responsible for the daily performance of vacuum furnaces, melt practice, or forging parameters. The latter role carries heavy operational weight, as one bad heat treat cycle or miscalculated quench can result in mass scrap and customer complaints. Consequently, pay expectations for metallurgists who possess this operational responsibility are often disconnected from the broader regional median for SOC 17-2131.
When sourcing talent, focus on the candidate's hands-on experience in your specific process, whether that is casting, steel melting, or heat treatment. These metallurgists are scarce and often work in tight-knit clusters. If you find a candidate who has previously driven cost-saving cycle changes without damaging material properties, their expertise provides a clear, documented ROI that justifies compensation levels that may appear high relative to regional statistical averages.
Hiring managers should also recognize that metallurgists often need to be recruited directly from competitors or suppliers, as they are not passively searching for new jobs. The wage averages provided are useful for general market awareness but should not be the primary tool for designing an offer package. Instead, determine your compensation based on the seniority and the depth of the candidate's lab responsibility, specifically their ability to handle sectioning, polishing, and microhardness analysis as well as supervising production furnace crews.
Finally, prioritize candidates who can teach others on the shop floor. A metallurgist who explains the 'why' behind a soak time is far more valuable to a shift supervisor than one who simply references rules. Secure this expertise by offering a role that grants real authority over the metallurgical process and the audit regime, and do not let regional wage medians deter you from paying for the high-impact knowledge that protects your production quality.
What should you know about questions before using this pay map?
Ignore the broad industry medians, which are heavily diluted by non-manufacturing or general engineering roles. For Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer in the United States, percentiles describe the wage distribution of the mapped occupation. The published middle interval is $88,080 to $142,720 annually.
How can I determine a competitive salary for a metallurgist when regional medians seem low?
Ignore the broad industry medians, which are heavily diluted by non-manufacturing or general engineering roles. For Metallurgist / Metallurgical Engineer in the United States, percentiles describe the wage distribution of the mapped occupation. The published middle interval is $88,080 to $142,720 annually. They do not assign pay to plant size, seniority, credentials or job complexity. Assess duties and candidate requirements separately; these rows do not measure a premium for them.
Does a high location quotient for materials engineers mean I will have a larger pool to choose from?
A high location quotient indicates more people in that general field, but not necessarily more people with the specific metallurgy or foundry expertise you need. Quality metallurgists are often already employed in specific industrial clusters, making your search strategy more important than the regional statistics.
Should I be concerned if my current budget is below the p75 of the provided metro list?
Budgets should be determined by the technical difficulty of the problems your metallurgist will solve. If your plant faces difficult microstructural failures or rigorous audit requirements, paying for a candidate with proven expertise in those specific areas is a more reliable investment than targeting a median salary.
Are metallurgists sensitive to the wage variations between different states?
Highly specialized professionals are more concerned with the specific technical environment, lab equipment, and authority provided by the role. While they are aware of local market conditions, they prioritize roles where their unique expertise in processes like heat treatment is properly compensated.