Materials Engineer Salary in Detroit, MI
Materials Engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median $100,070 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,227 take-home, or $6,269 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median materials engineer salary in Detroit, MI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,185
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,204
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,451
- Michigan income tax$4,002
- Take-home pay$75,227
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.25% state
Materials Engineer pay by experience in Detroit, MI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,910 | $31.21 | $51,827 | $4,319 |
| 25th percentile | $75,390 | $36.25 | $58,914 | $4,909 |
| Median (50th) | $100,070 | $48.11 | $75,227 | $6,269 |
| 75th percentile | $127,570 | $61.33 | $93,289 | $7,774 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,690 | $68.60 | $102,981 | $8,582 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Michigan resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $100,070 buys in Detroit, MI
Prices in Detroit, MI are 0.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 5% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median materials engineer's $75,227 take-home pay has the buying power of $75,004 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Detroit, MI has 1.6× the national concentration of materials engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for materials engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Detroit, MI ranks #10 of 10 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $156,130 | $117,981 | $106,162 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $123,250 | $95,507 | $96,835 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $156,730 | $106,007 | $96,001 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $140,640 | $98,408 | $90,378 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $117,700 | $91,632 | $88,885 |
| 6 | Denver, CO | $125,750 | $92,392 | $87,341 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $125,200 | $87,799 | $77,311 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $111,480 | $81,902 | $75,649 |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $100,070 | $75,227 | $75,004 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 10 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a materials engineer make in Detroit, MI?
The median materials engineer salary in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $100,070 a year, or about $48.11 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $75,390 and $127,570.
What is a materials engineer’s take-home pay in Detroit, MI?
On the median $100,070 salary, a single filer living in Michigan takes home about $75,227 a year ($6,269 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,002 in Michigan taxes in 2026.
Is Detroit, MI a good place to work as a materials engineer?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $112,860. Local prices are 0.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $75,004 would in a typical U.S. city. Detroit, MI ranks #10 of 10 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a materials engineer afford rent in Detroit, MI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Detroit, MI is $1,128 a month ($1,413 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median materials engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Detroit, MI
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $129,990
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $128,650
- Engineers, All Other — $126,250
- Electrical Engineer — $114,390
- Mechanical Engineer — $109,470
- Industrial Engineer — $104,110
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $97,920
- Civil Engineer — $92,550
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other — $77,710
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $77,150
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $76,190
- Mechanical Drafter — $75,050