Materials Engineer salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Materials Engineers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $100,420 a year ($48.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,470 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is about the same as the Kentucky statewide median of $100,620. There are 0.07 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44). The average (mean) salary is $101,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| 25th percentile | $84,610 | $40.68 |
| Median | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| 75th percentile | $113,120 | $54.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,470 | $59.84 |
| Average (mean) | $101,650 | $48.87 |
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 | $8,368.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,184.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,862.31 |
| Weekly | $1,931.15 |
| Hourly | $48.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $100,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $127,740 | 380 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $127,230 | 160 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $99,640 | 50 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $99,590 | 250 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $85,130 | 40 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $95,370 | $45.85 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,290 | $47.74 |
| Civil Engineer | $102,650 | $49.35 |
| Electrical Engineer | $97,960 | $47.10 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $127,610 | $61.35 |
| Engineers, All Other | $106,300 | $51.11 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $126,180 | $60.67 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,130 | $60.64 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $98,900 | $47.55 |
| Environmental Engineer | $105,370 | $50.66 |
| Chemical Engineer | $110,960 | $53.35 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,820 | $29.24 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,030 | $29.34 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $100,420 a year, or $48.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $124,470 a year. The top 25% earn $113,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,510 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $84,610 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 40 materials engineers are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.