Materials Engineers Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a materials engineers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $151,260/year ($72.72/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $101K at the entry level to $215K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $136,986 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 39% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $151K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About materials engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level materials engineers (10th percentile) start around $101K. Mid-career wages sit at $151K.Top earners bring in $215K or more - a $114K 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do materials engineers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $151,260 a year - that works out to about $72.72 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $101,410, and experienced materials engineers can clear $215,220. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $151K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,661/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 40.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a materials engineers salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median materials engineers salary is worth about $136,986 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.