Materials Engineers

AUTOMATION RISK
CALCULATED
15%
risk level
POLLING
24%
Based on 87 votes
LABOR DEMAND
GROWTH
6.1%
by 2031
WAGES
$100,140
or $48.14 hourly
VOLUME
21,510
as of 2022
SUMMARY
JOB SCORE
7.4/10

Automation risk

15% (Minimal Risk)

Minimal Risk (0-20%): Occupations in this category have a low probability of being automated, as they typically demand complex problem-solving, creativity, strong interpersonal skills, and a high degree of manual dexterity. These jobs often involve intricate hand movements and precise coordination, making it difficult for machines to replicate the required tasks.

More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.

Some quite important qualities of the job are difficult to automate:

  • Originality

  • Negotiation

  • Persuasion

  • Social Perceptiveness

User poll

24% chance of full automation within the next two decades

Our visitors have voted that there is a small chance this occupation will be replaced. This assessment is further supported by the calculated automation risk level, which estimates 15% chance of automation.

What do you think the risk of automation is?

What is the likelihood that this occupation will be replaced by robots or AI in the next 20 years?






Growth

Fast growth relative to other professions

The number of 'Materials Engineers' job openings is expected to rise 6.1% by 2031

Total employment, and estimated job openings

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period between 2021 and 2031.
Updated projections are due Sep 2023.

Wages

Very high paid relative to other professions

In 2022, the median annual wage for 'Materials Engineers' was $100,140, or $48.14 per hour

'Materials Engineers' were paid 116.2% higher than the national median wage, which stood at $46,310

Wages over time

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Volume

Lower range of job opportunities compared to other professions

As of 2022 there were 21,510 people employed as Materials Engineers within the United States.

This represents around 0.015% of the employed workforce across the country.

Put another way, around 1 in 6 thousand people are employed as Materials Engineers.

Job description

Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.

SOC Code: 17-2131.00

Resources

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Comments

Reda Ghazy says
The decision depends on complex information and visual inspection
Sep 10, 2021 at 11:20 AM

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