Materials Engineers 
General Information
Description
Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.
Business Breakdown
People in this career work in these sectors.
- Private, for profit93.60%
- Federal government2.91%
- Self-employed2.19%
- Private, not for profit1.20%
- State and local government0.10%
Workplace at a Glance
What you can expect to experience while on the job
- Responsibility
- Exposure to job hazards
- Physical activity
- Decision making
- Repetitiveness
- Level of competition
- Time pressure
Industry areas
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Job Outlook
Similar Careers
Salary
Salary Information
Median Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.
$100,140
State-by-state Salary
Gray states indicate no data available
Education & Interests
Most Common Education Levels
People in this career achieve this level of education.
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Bachelor's degree 47%
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Doctoral degree 33%
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Master's degree 9%
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Post baccalaureate 4%
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Post-doctoral training 4%
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High school 0%
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Some college 0%
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Associate's degree 0%
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Less than high school 0%
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Post-master's certificate 0%
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First professional degree 0%
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Post-secondary certificate 0%
Related College Majors
Select major to see colleges that offer it
PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS
You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:
- Investigative — You have an interest in studying and researching objects, organisms, and other things.
- Realistic — You have an interest in physically working with equipment, materials or structures.
- Enterprising — You have an interest in managing, negotiating and marketing, or leading and advising others.
Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.
Skills at a Glance
Skills helpful in this career
- Verbal skills
- Critical thinking & problem solving
- Equipment operation & maintenance
- Math & science skills
- Technology design & control
- Leadership
Knowledge
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Design
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