SOC 17-2131 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Materials Engineers — San Francisco
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA · 7 metro areas compared
In San Francisco, CA the median wage for Materials Engineers is $129,480 a year, which is 14.7% higher than the national figure of $112,860.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In San Francisco, CA the median wage for Materials Engineers is $129,480 a year, which is 14.7% higher than the national figure of $112,860. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $97,560 and $160,540. The lowest tenth earn under $80,050, while the highest tenth earn more than $189,230.
The area has 340 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.1 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, San Jose records the highest median at $156,730. Of the 688 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 151st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $80,050 | −29.1% |
| 25th | $97,560 | −13.6% |
| Median (50th) | $129,480 | +14.7% |
| 75th | $160,540 | +42.2% |
| 90th | $189,230 | +67.7% |
| Mean | $133,770 | +18.5% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $156,730 | 550 | |
| 2 | Bakersfield | $130,440 | 50 | |
| 3 | Sacramento | $130,040 | 100 | |
| 4 | Los Angeles | $125,200 | 1,250 | |
| 5 | San Diego | $124,180 | 260 | |
| 6 | Oxnard | $122,450 | 60 | |
| 7 | Riverside | $109,100 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Francisco run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $129,480 buys what $116,965 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 3.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$129,480as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$116,965US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $129,480 a year, 14.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $80,050 to $189,230 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 340 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $156,730.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Materials Engineers in San Francisco, CA?
The median annual wage is $129,480, or $62.25 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $112,860, so pay in San Francisco, CA is 14.7% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in San Francisco, CA earns more than $189,230 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $80,050 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $156,730 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 340 jobs in this occupation in San Francisco, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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