10 of the Most Popular Types of Material Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Material jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Material Jobs

• Material Handler

  Salary range: $33,500 - $40,500

  The job of a material handler differs slightly across industries, which include manufacturing, warehouse supply, or retail. In production, your duties are to procure and deliver products or raw materials to the production floor to be assembled. You may use specialized equipment to move supplies, such as forklifts. In retail, such as working at a second-hand store, your responsibilities may include sorting through donations at distribution facilities or stock rooms and performing quality control to ensure materials meet company standards.

• Materials Science

  Salary range: $93,500 - $167,000

  Materials Science is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Materials Science jobs pay between $93,500 (25th percentile) and $167,000 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for Materials Science job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Materials Engineer

  Salary range: $80,000 - $116,500

  As a materials engineer, you develop, test, and process new materials. You may create new types of plastic, metal, or ceramic materials for use in various applications. You work with nanomaterials and other unusual substances to create products that meet specific chemical, electrical, or mechanical requirements. Depending on the company's needs and the status of a material's development, you typically work in a laboratory or an office setting. Many potential materials are modeled on computers before attempting manufacture, so familiarity with design software is paramount.

• Materials Scientist

  Salary range: $93,500 - $167,000

  A materials scientist researches and studies the chemical structures and properties of materials such as metals, rubber, and ceramics. As a materials scientist, your job duties involve determining ways to create, enhance, or combine elements for use in products and applications. Because the field of materials science is broad, scientists tend to specialize in a material type or technique. To pursue a career as a materials scientist, you typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, materials science, engineering, or a related field. Some positions may require a master’s degree or doctorate and extensive experience in a laboratory setting. Many materials scientists also train in specific disciplines, such as organic chemistry or ceramic engineering. Additional qualifications include excellent critical thinking, problem-solving, and computer science skills, as well as an understanding of statistical analysis.

• Entry Level Materials Science

  Salary range: $32,000 - $45,500

  Entry Level Materials Science is a typical job search query Most salaries for Entry Level Materials Science jobs pay between $32,000 (25th percentile) and $45,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Entry Level Materials Science job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Material Science

  Salary range: $39,000 - $52,500

  Material Science is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Material Science jobs pay between $39,000 (25th percentile) and $52,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Material Science job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Materials Technician

  Salary range: $39,000 - $52,500

  Materials Technician is a common job search query. Most salaries for Materials Technician jobs pay between $39,000 (25th percentile) and $52,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Materials Technician job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Entry Level Construction

  Salary range: $35,500 - $45,500

  Entry Level Construction is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Entry Level Construction jobs pay between $35,500 (25th percentile) and $45,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Entry Level Construction job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Manufacturing

  Salary range: $42,000 - $60,000

  Manufacturing jobs involve creating new products and goods. Manufacturers use raw materials or separate components to build something entirely new. Whether it’s chemical, physical, or mechanical, as long as you are creating a product, you are working in manufacturing. The only exception is construction, which is considered separate from manufacturing. Manufacturing jobs include making prepackaged food or beverages, creating computers and electronics, and producing clothing. Bakers, printers, tailors, furniture builders, and woodworkers are all considered manufacturers. Most manufacturers work in a factory, mill, or plant, but you can also find work in labs.

• Construction

  Salary range: $71,000 - $115,500

  Construction jobs encompass a wide range of opportunities in the industry, ranging from carpenters and electricians to project managers and civil engineers. Construction professionals participate in a wide range of projects. There are residential projects, such as single family homes, small lot developments, or apartment buildings, commercial projects, such as building strip malls, industrial facilities or office buildings, and a range of infrastructure projects, such as public transit construction or building bridges. Your duties and responsibilities depend on the type of project and your role in the construction industry.