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

• 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.

• 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.

• Extrusion Machine Operator

  Salary range: $35,000 - $44,000

  An extrusion machine operator works in a factory, overseeing the production of rods, hoses, and other tubular shapes out of thermoplastic materials for manufacturing or construction. As an extrusion machine operator, your primary responsibilities are to monitor the use and maintenance of the industrial equipment in a factory. Your day-to-day duties include performing maintenance, preparing machinery for use, and running the controls in compliance with current occupational regulations. The main qualifications needed for this job are manufacturing knowledge, strong communication skills, and drawing machine experience. While the only formal education you need is a high school diploma or GED certificate, a certificate from a vocational school can help you advance as an extrusion machine operator.

• 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.

• Entry Level Material Science

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

  Entry Level Material Science is a typical job search query Most salaries for Entry Level Material Science jobs pay between $32,000 (25th percentile) and $45,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Entry Level Material Science job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• No Experience Manufacturing

  Salary range: $31,500 - $43,500

  No Experience Manufacturing is a common job search query. Most salaries for No Experience Manufacturing jobs pay between $31,500 (25th percentile) and $43,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for No Experience Manufacturing job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Materials Manager

  Salary range: $63,000 - $103,000

  Materials Manager is a common job search query. Most salaries for Materials Manager jobs pay between $63,000 (25th percentile) and $103,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Materials Manager job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• 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.

• 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.