Materials Engineers vs. Industrial Engineers: Who Earns More?
Materials Engineerss out-earn Industrial Engineerss by $10K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Materials Engineerss land at $112,860 and Industrial Engineerss at $102,440. The education gap is real: materials engineer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while industrial engineer programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Materials Engineerss is New Mexico ($165,600); for Industrial Engineerss it's Alaska ($156,510).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Materials Engineers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Materials Engineerss or Industrial Engineerss?
Materials Engineerss earn more nationally. The median is $112,860 for Materials Engineerss versus $102,440 for Industrial Engineerss, a difference of $10K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Materials Engineers or Industrial Engineers?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Materials Engineers or Industrial Engineers?
Materials Engineers typically requires bachelor's degree. Industrial Engineers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Materials Engineerss get paid the most?
New Mexico is the top-paying state for Materials Engineerss at $165,600/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Materials Engineers vs. Industrial Engineers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In New Mexico, Materials Engineerss earn $165,600 vs. $128,090 for Industrial Engineerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.