Materials Engineer salary in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
Materials Engineers in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area earn a median of $84,880 a year ($40.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,850 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is 10% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $94,050. There are 0.16 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $93,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,640 | $30.11 |
| 25th percentile | $64,630 | $31.07 |
| Median | $84,880 | $40.81 |
| 75th percentile | $108,120 | $51.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,850 | $60.03 |
| Average (mean) | $93,020 | $44.72 |
Half of materials engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,073.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,536.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,264.62 |
| Weekly | $1,632.31 |
| Hourly | $40.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $84,880 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Materials Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $105,950 | 50 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $100,070 | 460 |
Highest-paying states for materials engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $165,600 |
| Maryland | $140,640 |
| Washington | $139,840 |
| Delaware | $131,320 |
| Louisiana | $128,670 |
| California | $128,470 |
| Illinois | $126,620 |
| New York | $125,900 |
| Colorado | $124,030 |
| Alaska | $123,360 |
See Materials Engineer pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $98,940 | $47.57 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $96,610 | $46.45 |
| Electrical Engineer | $100,080 | $48.12 |
| Civil Engineer | $92,600 | $44.52 |
| Engineers, All Other | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $113,930 | $54.77 |
| Chemical Engineer | $114,800 | $55.19 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,630 | $49.34 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $106,370 | $51.14 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $110,280 | $53.02 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $144,020 | $69.24 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,560 | $29.12 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $81,660 | $39.26 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a materials engineer make in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area is $84,880 a year, or $40.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area earn at least $124,850 a year. The top 25% earn $108,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,640 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $64,630 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
About 100 materials engineers are employed in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.