How much do Materials Engineers make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?

Percentile spread

For Materials Engineers, the published 10th percentile is $64,210 and the 90th percentile is $148,730. The difference is $84,520, which is 81.0% of the median. Ten percent of measured wages fall below the 10th percentile and ten percent fall above the 90th. How to read a percentile.

The middle half of the distribution, from the 25th percentile at $86,400 to the 75th at $128,040, covers $41,640.

The mean annual wage is $109,980, which sits above the median of $104,310. Median and mean measure different points in the same distribution.

National and state comparison

The Raleigh-Cary, NC median is 7.6% lower than the national median of $112,860 for Materials Engineers. In 2024 national prices the local median is $106,269, which is 5.8% lower than that same national median. The national figure is already in national prices because the United States parity is 100.

It is 0.1% higher than the North Carolina median of $104,240.

Price-adjusted pay

The 2024 all-items regional price parity for Raleigh-Cary, NC is 98.157, with the United States at 100. The Bureau of Economic Analysis released those parities on February 19, 2026. Dividing the May 2025 median of $104,310 by that parity and multiplying by 100 puts Materials Engineers at $106,269 in national prices. The wage year and the price year are different. Compare this wage after prices.

Nearby metros

6 other metropolitan areas within 200 miles publish a annual median for Materials Engineers. Raleigh-Cary, NC ranks 5th of 7 on that median, counting itself. Distance is the great-circle mileage between Census Bureau internal points (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files, Core Based Statistical Areas, internal points (INTPTLAT, INTPTLONG).).

• Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is 39 miles away, with a median of $117,000 and employment of 80. That median is 12.2% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $119,911, against $106,269 here.
• Greensboro-High Point, NC is 77 miles away, with a median of $98,380 and employment of 170. That median is 5.7% lower than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $105,939, against $106,269 here.
• Richmond, VA is 128 miles away, with a median of $102,440 and employment of 200. That median is 1.8% lower than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $104,682, against $106,269 here.