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Job outlook for materials engineering technicians in the United States
Are materials engineering technician jobs in demand?
Materials engineering technician job and salary trends over time
Materials engineering technician jobs over time
Materials engineering technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 185 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 135 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 140 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 210 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 193 | 0.00% |
Average materials engineering technician salary over time
Materials engineering technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $73,313 | $35.25 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $71,807 | $34.52 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $70,724 | $34.00 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $69,639 | $33.48 | --0.2% |
| 2021 | $69,751 | $33.53 | +1.7% |
Materials engineering technician jobs by state
Most common states for materials engineering technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 416 | 60% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,669 | 39% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 360 | 37% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 476 | 35% |
| 5 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 979 | 32% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 237 | 32% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,295 | 31% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 235 | 31% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,514 | 30% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,710 | 30% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 2,146 | 29% |
| 12 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,745 | 29% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,613 | 29% |
| 14 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 383 | 29% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 512 | 27% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 948 | 26% |
| 17 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 803 | 26% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 255 | 24% |
| 19 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,382 | 23% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 399 | 23% |
Most common cities for materials engineering technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sumter | 2 | 5% | $67,721 |
| 2 | Saginaw | 1 | 2% | $77,385 |
| 3 | Fort Lauderdale | 1 | 1% | $65,012 |
| 4 | Huntsville | 1 | 1% | $64,090 |
| 5 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $68,271 |
| 6 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $60,741 |
Materials Engineering Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of materials engineering technician experts
University of New Mexico
San Jose State University
Michigan Technological University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Wichita State University
University of Texas
University of Maryland
What will help Materials Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
Jamie Gomez: Chemical engineers thrive on tackling complex problems and embracing diverse projects, which offer ample opportunities for innovation and career growth. Their work profoundly impacts society, particularly in advancing sustainable technologies. However, the profession can be demanding, with high workloads, regulatory hurdles, and safety challenges. Ethical considerations must also be carefully balanced with industrial growth. Senior chemical engineering students transitioning from capstone design projects often find the experience stressful but invaluable. These projects mirror real-world engineering scenarios and equip them with practical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, innovation, and adaptability. Additionally, they gain an understanding of the economic aspects of engineering projects, learning to assess cost-effectiveness and financial feasibility. These competencies are crucial for career success, offering versatility and a wide range of professional opportunities.
What will help Materials Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
Christopher Lew: People like the broad range of career opportunities, the ability to address complex challenges, and the potential for success and growth in various fields. Dislikes may include the complexity of the field and the varied responsibilities that require a unique way of thinking and problem-solving.
What general advice would you give to a Materials Engineering Technician?
John Irwin EdD: Engineering technology graduates are masters of technology, gaining a broad and deep understanding of the processes, systems, tools, and techniques necessary to construct, modify, operate, and maintain an engineering design. They act as technological integrators, bridging the gap between the skilled trades and engineering fundamentals. This is a great career path for those who enjoy engineering concepts but would rather spend time working with their hands solving specific technical issues than tackling broader, more complex design challenges.
What Materials Engineering Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Irwin EdD: They like that the job market is very strong. Companies that are implementing industry 4.0 technologies are in need of Engineering Technology graduates because they are well prepared to meet these challenges. Employers like their problem-solving and hands-on experience with modern industry tools. ET graduates with 4-yr degrees dislike that some company recruiters do not recognize them as engineers and confuse them with 2-yr associate degree technicians.
What will help Materials Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
John Irwin EdD: Engineering technology graduates develop, design, and implement engineering and technology solutions, typically pursuing engineering careers in design, construction, and product improvement. They work both in an office setting with design and simulation software as well as on the production/onsite setting troubleshooting issues for continuous improvements.
Jianyu Liang
Director of Materials and Manufacturing Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, WPIWorcester Polytechnic Institute
Materials Engineering
What will help Materials Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
Jianyu Liang: Get Your Hands Dirty: There's no substitute for hands-on experience. The lessons learned through direct involvement are invaluable, offering insights and skills that theoretical knowledge alone cannot provide. Embrace every opportunity to participate in projects, volunteer for tasks, and experiment within your role. This proactive approach not only accelerates your learning but also showcases your work ethic and dedication to potential mentors and leaders.
Be Mindful and Intentional in Your Job: While immersing yourself in your work, adopt a reflective practice. Actively seek feedback and analyze your experiences. This intentional approach to learning from every task helps to grow your skills rapidly.
Be Open-Minded and Adaptable: The landscape of nearly every industry is rapidly evolving, particularly with the integration of automation and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies are not just changing the way we work; they are reshaping the skills and roles in demand. Stay open to new ideas, technologies, and methodologies. Continuous learning and adaptability are key to remaining relevant and thriving in a tech-driven workplace. Attend workshops, webinars, and courses on emerging technologies and trends in your field to keep your skills sharp and your perspective fresh.
Cultivate a Professional Network: Building relationships within your industry is crucial. Networking isn't just about finding job opportunities; it's about learning from peers, gaining insights into industry trends, and establishing a support system. Attend industry conferences, join professional organizations, and engage in communities related to your field. These connections can provide guidance, mentorship, and support as you navigate your career path.
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorWichita State University
School of Accountancy, Barton School of Business
What experience really stands out on Materials Engineering Technician resumes?
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.: Employers are looking for people who can integrate in multi-disciplinary environments to solve complex problems. They are looking for resumes that show quick learning. Such resumes will permanently be in great demand. Because the world is interconnected much more than it ever was, employees today will deal with customers, supply-chains, and fellow employees who are spread all over the world. It means that an experience that showcases the global perspective will be in demand over the long-term.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Materials Engineering Technicians in the next 5 years?
Dr. Sheldon Landsberger: There may be increases or decreases in certain areas but, overall, the demand will be stable... but as older people retire, those positions will need to be filled, mostly at the national lab.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Materials Engineering Technicians?
Mohammad Modarres Ph.D.: There has been a shortage of nuclear engineering workforce, and graduates have been in high demand. Considering the extensive uses of nuclear facilities and materials not only for design, fabrication, operation, and manufacturing in nuclear plants, but also in defense, national laboratories, and health settings, while employment like any other engineering field slowed down due to the pandemic, I expect it to remain healthy and vital in the future.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Materials Engineering Technicians to find work opportunities?
Mohammad Modarres Ph.D.: The nuclear power workforce is aging, and utilities that own nuclear plants have been the primary employer, followed by DOE (including national labs.), NRC, Navy, and Radiation (health) facility manufacturers. As nuclear plants age and are decommissioned, the utility owners would need fewer atomic engineers. But, I expect employment at the governmental, nuclear facility vendors, and other institutions will remain unchanged.
How do you envision technology impacting Materials Engineering Technicians in the next 5 years?
Mohammad Modarres Ph.D.: There are exciting technologies of small modular reactors (SMRs), with passive safety features (hands-off operations) being developed that are far more economical and will be available soon. NRC just gave a design certification to one of them last Friday (NuScale). In a scenario where decarbonization of the energy production and usage, sooner than later, will become inevitable, nuclear power will be the resource (in addition to other renewables) to rely on for sustained, safe, and economical production of our base energy.