Develop and test materials used in manufacturing — metals, ceramics, plastics, and composites. Median salary in Riverside: $116K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Riverside, California. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Materials Engineers in Riverside earn approximately 18% higher than the US national median for this role — a $18,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Riverside's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.
California's 9.3% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $10,788 per year at the median salary. A Materials Engineer relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.
Average 1-bedroom rent in Riverside ($1,800/mo) consumes approximately 31% of an after-tax median Materials Engineer salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($151K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $116K by 2030.
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The median Materials Engineer salary in Riverside, CA is $116,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Riverside–CA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Materials Engineers in Riverside with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $85,000 and $116,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $116,000 to $151,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $151,000 to $191,000 or more.
Riverside has a cost of living index of 118 compared to the US national average of 100. Riverside's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. California has a 9.3% state income tax rate.
Bachelor's in Materials Science or Engineering. 22% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.