Materials Engineers Salary in Decatur, AL
The median pay for a materials engineers in Decatur, AL is $130,550/year ($62.77/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $69K at the entry level to $161K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.21), which stretches that salary to about $149,696 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $961/month, or 12.1% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $131K get you in Decatur?
About materials engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Decatur, AL
Entry-level materials engineers (10th percentile) start around $69K. Mid-career wages sit at $131K.Top earners bring in $161K or more - a $92K spread from bottom to top.
Materials Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $141K | +30% | 1,240 |
| Maryland | $131K | +21% | 960 |
| Delaware | $128K | +18% | 50 |
| California | $128K | +18% | 2,760 |
| Oregon | $127K | +18% | 90 |
| New York | $122K | +13% | 750 |
| Alaska | $121K | +11% | 70 |
| Texas | $116K | +7% | 1,730 |
| Wyoming | $114K | +6% | 40 |
| Massachusetts | $111K | +3% | 1,060 |
| South Carolina | $111K | +2% | 440 |
| Alabama | $110K | +2% | 660 |
| Tennessee | $109K | +0% | 550 |
| Arizona | $108K | -0% | 380 |
| Minnesota | $106K | -2% | 180 |
Track materials engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Decatur numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do materials engineers make in Decatur, AL?
The median is $130,550 a year - that works out to about $62.77 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $68,600, and experienced materials engineers can clear $160,720. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $131K enough to live in Decatur?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,802/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $961/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 12.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a materials engineers salary go in Decatur?
Decatur has a Regional Price Parity of 87.21 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median materials engineers salary is worth about $149,696 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do materials engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.