- Statewide
- Western Prosperity Zone
- Southwest Prosperity Zone
- North Central Prosperity Zone
- Northeast Prosperity Zone
- Northwest Prosperity Zone
- Piedmont-Triad Prosperity Zone
- Sandhills Prosperity Zone
- Southeast Prosperity Zone
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- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
- Annual Median Wage$ 101,526$77,649
$146,469
Annual NC Wage Range
Growth RateModerately Growing
- Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a range of products, from computer chips and aircraft wings to golf clubs and biomedical devices. They study the properties and structures of metals, ceramics, plastics, composites, nanomaterials (extremely small substances), and other substances in order to create new materials that meet certain mechanical, electrical, and chemical requirements. They also help select materials for specific products and develop new ways to use existing materials.
What do they typically do
- Plan and evaluate new projects, consulting with other engineers and managers as necessary
- Prepare proposals and budgets, analyze labor costs, write reports, and perform other managerial tasks
- Supervise the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists
- Design and direct the testing of processing procedures
- Monitor how materials perform and evaluate how they deteriorate
- Determine causes of product failure and develop ways of overcoming such failure
- Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to the design objectives of processes or products
- Evaluate the impact of materials processing on the environment
Number of Jobs
Average AnnualJob Growth +0.7%Job Opening 12Education & Training
- Education Most require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.Associated Programs or MajorsMoreLicenseN/AMore
NC Workforce CredentialsPrivate Training Programs183196Change 13