Salary distribution
Where Tennessee materials engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $83,550 and $128,440, with a median of $108,670.
Materials Engineers in Tennessee: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 8 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $98,478. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 3 | $69,389 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $160,880 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $98,478 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Materials Engineers in Tennessee. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wonder Porcelain Group, LLC | Ceramics Production Engineer | 3 | $69,389 |
| Intel Corporation | Process Engineer | 1 | $171,330 |
| Nucor Steel Memphis, Inc | Product Metallurgist “ Sales | 1 | $119,413 |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE | Research Associate | 1 | $85,280 |
| LG ELECTRONICS U.S.A, INC. | MATERIAL ANALYST | 1 | $65,666 |
| UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY) | Neutron Imaging Scientist | 1 | $160,880 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Process Engineer at Intel Corporation$171,330KnoxvilleDecided Dec 4, 2025I-200-25330-439150
- Product Metallurgist “ Sales at Nucor Steel Memphis, Inc$119,413MemphisDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25307-366445
- R&D Director at Wonder Porcelain Group, LLC$111,675LebanonWage Level IIIDecided Jun 3, 2025I-200-25147-020610
- Research Associate at THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE$85,280KnoxvilleWage Level IIIDecided May 5, 2025I-200-25118-910055
- MATERIAL ANALYST at LG ELECTRONICS U.S.A, INC.$65,666CLARKSVILLEWage Level IDecided Mar 26, 2025I-200-25078-788875
- Neutron Imaging Scientist at UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY)$160,880Oak RidgeWage Level IIDecided Mar 17, 2025I-200-25069-763066
- Ceramics Production Engineer at Wonder Porcelain Group, LLC$69,389LebanonWage Level IDecided Oct 4, 2024I-200-24271-371601
- Ceramics Production Engineer at Wonder Porcelain Group, LLC$69,389LebanonWage Level IDecided May 29, 2025I-200-25141-001764
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Materials Engineers pay by experience level in Tennessee
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Materials Engineers in Tennessee, by industry
Median offered wage across 8 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Manufacturing leads with a median of $111,675.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Wonder Porcelain Group, LLC | 5 | $111,675 |
| Education | THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE | 1 | $85,280 |
| Retail and wholesale | LG ELECTRONICS U.S.A, INC. | 1 | $65,666 |
| Professional services | UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY) | 1 | $160,880 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Tennessee over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.3 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Chemistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Production and Processing
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Science
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
- 02
Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
- 03
Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
- 04
Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
- 05
Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
- 06
Modify properties of metal alloys, using thermal and mechanical treatments.
- 07
Guide technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.
- 08
Determine appropriate methods for fabricating and joining materials.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+5.7%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Materials Engineers in Tennessee?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Materials Engineers in Tennessee is $108,670.
- How does Tennessee compare to the national median for Materials Engineers?
- The Tennessee median is -1.2% versus the BLS national figure of $109,979.
- What is the salary range for Materials Engineers in Tennessee?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $72,730 and the 90th-percentile at $155,180, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Materials Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 5.7% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Materials Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.