Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Salem, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Salem, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$130K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Salem
Cost of Living
120
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Salem, OR Overview
Salem, Oregon (pop. 175,535) has 14 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 120 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,384/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Salem is approximately $60,000, growing to $129,600 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,943/yr
Private Tuition
$46,250/yr
Room & Board
$15,380/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,172/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
57%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Salem (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Salem's cost of living index of 120 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Salem adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Salem
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Salem tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,943 | Private avg: $46,250
Salem avg aid: $14,172/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$113,292
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,000
vs HS diploma in Salem
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Salem
$966,708
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,080,000) minus total education cost ($113,292)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Salem
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Salem for Materials Science & Engineering
Willamette University
private
$46,250/yr
$185,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chemeketa Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Salem
Salem offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Salem Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$56K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$65K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$55K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$58K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$54K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$53K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$56K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$60K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Salem
Petroleum Engineering
$60K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$60K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$98K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$60K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$96K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$96K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$60K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Salem — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Materials Science & Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Salem.