Material Science

Median Annual Income

$72,598

Projected Job Growth

+4 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

Median Annual Income

$112,002

Projected Job Growth

+10 %

Career Cluster(s)

Agriculture

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.

Median Annual Income

$85,613

Projected Job Growth

+8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.

Median Annual Income

$111,576

Projected Job Growth

+5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Design, develop, or supervise the production of materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition, applying principles of nanoscale physics and electrical, chemical, or biological engineering.

Median Annual Income

$111,576

Projected Job Growth

+5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Research, design, develop, or test microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices.

Median Annual Income

$111,576

Projected Job Growth

+5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control.

Median Annual Income

$106,173

Projected Job Growth

+9 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

Median Annual Income

$95,832

Projected Job Growth

+12 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Design, integrate, or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.

Median Annual Income

$95,548

Projected Job Growth

+11 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.

Median Annual Income

$104,655

Projected Job Growth

+7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Energy & Natural Resources

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

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.

Median Annual Income

$

Projected Job Growth

+7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Energy & Natural Resources

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

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.

Median Annual Income

$

Projected Job Growth

+9 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass. Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications. Includes glass scientists, ceramic scientists, metallurgical scientists, and polymer scientists.