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Materials Science Majors’ Salary Over the Career
This figure shows median earnings by age for those who majored in Materials Science but have a bachelor’s degree only: “This Major (BA only)”, and those who majored in Materials Science but obtained a masters degree or higher: “This Major (Grad Degree)”. For reference, “All Majors (BA only)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a bachelor’s degree only, and “All Majors (Grad Degree)” contains the median income for all college graduates who have a Master’s degree or higher.
This table highlights key outcomes for Materials Science majors, compared to averages for all college graduates.
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Top 10 Early-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Materials Science majors aged 25-35 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Materials Science majors aged 25-35 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Industrial Engineers, including Health and Safety | 91,900 |
| 13 | Materials Engineers | 85,500 |
| 13 | Engineers, nec | 90,800 |
| 5 | Mechanical Engineers | 92,200 |
| 5 | Aerospace Engineers | 89,400 |
| 4 | Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software | 119,000 |
| 4 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 107,000 |
| 2 | First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | 97,700 |
| 2 | Chemical Engineers | 96,500 |
| 2 | Physical Scientists, nec | 92,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Bachelor’s only)
These are the top occupations for Materials Science majors aged 45-55 who have a BA only (no graduate degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Materials Science majors aged 45-55 with a BA only who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 8 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 172,000 |
| 6 | Engineers, nec | 128,000 |
| 5 | Mechanical Engineers | 116,000 |
| 5 | Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software | 113,000 |
| 5 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | 167,000 |
| 4 | General and Operations Managers | 176,000 |
| 4 | Materials Engineers | 120,000 |
| 4 | Industrial Engineers, including Health and Safety | 153,000 |
| 3 | Constructions Managers | 114,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Occupations (Master’s Degree or higher)
These are the top occupations for Materials Science majors aged 45-55 who have completed graduate work (Masters, PhD, Professional Degree) and the median income they received in the occupation. The share indicates the percentage of Materials Science majors aged 45-55 with graduate degrees who worked in that occupation.
| Share | Occupation | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Managers, nec (including Postmasters) | 194,000 |
| 11 | Engineers, nec | 171,000 |
| 7 | Physical Scientists, nec | 151,000 |
| 6 | Postsecondary Teachers | 130,000 |
| 5 | Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software | 151,000 |
| 4 | Unemployed | 0 |
| 4 | Materials Engineers | 171,000 |
| 3 | Chief executives and legislators/public administration | 334,000 |
| 3 | Electrical and Electronics Engineers | 200,000 |
| 3 | Management Analysts | 183,000 |
Top 10 Early-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Materials Science majors aged 25-35 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Materials Science majors aged 25-35 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Electrical machinery, equipment, and supplies, n.e.c. | 119,000 |
| 8 | Colleges and universities | 53,400 |
| 7 | Research, development, and testing services | 92,000 |
| 6 | Engineering, architectural, and surveying services | 86,600 |
| 5 | Computer and data processing services | 116,000 |
| 5 | Medical, dental, and optical instruments and supplies | 91,600 |
| 4 | Aircraft and parts | 111,000 |
| 4 | Motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment | 100,000 |
| 2 | Industrial and miscellaneous chemicals | 88,500 |
| 2 | Management and public relations services | 130,000 |
Top 10 Mid-Career Industries
These are the top industries for Materials Science majors aged 45-55 and the median income they received in the industry. The share indicates the percentage of Materials Science majors aged 45-55 who worked in that industry.
| Share | Industry | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Electrical machinery, equipment, and supplies, n.e.c. | 195,000 |
| 6 | Computer and data processing services | 153,000 |
| 6 | Colleges and universities | 116,000 |
| 5 | Motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment | 147,000 |
| 4 | N/A (not applicable) | 0 |
| 4 | Medical, dental, and optical instruments and supplies | 164,000 |
| 4 | Research, development, and testing services | 170,000 |
| 3 | Engineering, architectural, and surveying services | 120,000 |
| 2 | Management and public relations services | 188,000 |
| 2 | Industrial and miscellaneous chemicals | 155,000 |
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