Also called: Materials & Process Engineer, M&P Engineer
Picks, tests and develops the right materials, like metals, plastics, ceramics and composites, for products.
Your company's new e-bike frame cracked in testing. You cut the cracked piece, look at it under a microscope, find the weld was too hot, and recommend a different aluminum alloy and process.
BLS May 2024 median $108,310; percentiles approximate.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in materials science and engineering or a related field.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Materials Science & Engineering.
Growing faster than average (about 6% over 10 years). BLS 2024-34 projection.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI materials databases speed selection and testing analysis; lab testing, supplier problems and failure work stay human.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Calculus, Shop class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2131.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.