Materials Manager Salary

By Henry Steele - April 15, 2018
Reading Time: 9 minutes
Reading Time: 9 minutes

The following article discusses the career path of Materials Manager. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Materials Managers.

Job Duties

Materials managers are responsible for overseeing the distribution and intake of all materials and components that their business uses. They delegate various tasks to their team members, ensuring that tasks are completed on time. Additionally, they focus on maintaining inventory levels so that they can always meet demand without unnecessary stockpiling, and they oversee the receiving, shipping, and purchasing processes.

These professionals build relationships and partnerships with external suppliers. They also regularly have to audit the materials they receive and the contracts they have in place with their suppliers. This also means that they must maintain proper records and documentation. Because they also oversee members of staff, they are responsible for this part of documentation as well.

They generally work in a warehouse, although some travel may be required. Usually, they work during regular business hours but some overtime may be required, particularly if they deal with international shipments. They can work in a range of different industries, such as aerospace systems, large scale food operations, medical device companies, hospitals, utility companies, and biotech organizations.

Other duties of materials managers are:

  • To be responsible for relationships with suppliers, tracking delivery metrics, price, and quality and leading negotiations
  • To develop and change procedures and processes for the transport, receiving, and shipping of goods, while also ensuring waste is reduced and throughput is increased as much as possible
  • To maintain documents about the usage, movement, and quality of materials and analyze these records
  • To ensure that inventories are accurate and support production needs
  • To ensure that inventory is available and sent to the right elements of the organization, thereby meeting organizational goals

Where We Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 520,400 purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents in 2016, of which materials managers are part of. The largest employers of these professionals are:

  • Manufacturing 23%
  • Wholesale trade 15%
  • Management of companies and enterprises 10%
  • Retail trade 9%
  • Federal government 8%

How to Become

It is essential that materials managers have a background in management. In addition, they are also required to understand inventory control, logistics, receiving, and shipping. Furthermore, it is beneficial for them to have an understanding of the specific industry in which they work.

Education Requirements

In general, materials managers need to have a bachelor’s degree and several years of work experience. Exactly how much education and experience is required depends on where they work. Usually, those with a degree in supply management, finance, or business are most in demand. The exception is for materials managers in specific industries, such as farming products and agriculture. Some certification options also exist, although these tend to be voluntary. These include the Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) offered by the American Purchasing Society. Another one is the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), offered by APICS, and there is the Senior Professional in Supply Management (SPSM) offered by the Next Level Purchasing Association. These are just some examples and there are many more certifications that a materials manager may want to consider to show dedication to their profession as relevant to the industry in which they work.

At least five years of professional experience is also generally expected.

Traits & Qualities

The most effective materials managers have the following traits to some degree or other:

– Strong analytical skills
– Excellent decision making skills
– Great mathematical skills
– Strong negotiating skills
– Excellent critical thinking skills
– Great communication skills, particularly writing skills

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s Degree

National Salary

The national average salary estimate for Materials Manager was $82,671. This number is estimated from over 834,836 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $43.06 and monthly of $6,889.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$27,000

$166,000

Salary Distribution

Salary by State

The following section lists Materials Manager salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Minnesota had the largest quoted salary of $129,333 while Arizona had the smallest quoted salary of $35,616.

Alabama Illinois Mississippi Tennessee
Arizona Indiana North Carolina Texas
California Kansas New Jersey Utah
Connecticut Kentucky New York Virginia
Delaware Louisiana Ohio Vermont
Florida Massachusetts Oregon Washington
Georgia Michigan Pennsylvania Wisconsin
Iowa Minnesota South Carolina
Idaho Missouri South Dakota
Alabama – $78,688 Rank: 19th

The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Arthur Wright and Associates, Austin Allen Company, LLC, Philips Recruiting Services, and uJoynus Recruitment.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$28,000

$154,000

Salary Distribution
Arizona – $35,616 Rank: 34th

The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Agility Personnel, Aerotek, AeroTurbine, Inc, and Affinity Resources.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$9.25

$27.90

Salary Distribution
California – $88,132 Rank: 5th

The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Zodiac Aerospace, Tesla Motors, The Search Solutions, LLC, and Anita's Mexican Foods Corp..

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$25,000

$189,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut – $73,033 Rank: 22nd

The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like A.R. Mazzotta and Pratt & Whitney.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$21,000

$154,000

Salary Distribution
Delaware – $37,324 Rank: 33rd

The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ampcus Inc.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$9.80

$32.30

Salary Distribution
Florida – $61,653 Rank: 32nd

The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Miami Miller School of Med and University of Miami.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$15,000

$140,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia – $83,186 Rank: 11th

The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Philips Recruiting Services, Atlanta Hiring Solutions, and Southern Recruiting Solutions, Inc..

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$34,000

$153,000

Salary Distribution
Iowa – $79,265 Rank: 16th

The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Gables Search Group, FPC of Concord, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, and Cameron Craig Group.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$40,000

$121,000

Salary Distribution
Idaho – $64,655 Rank: 30th

The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Judge Group.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$20,000

$133,000

Salary Distribution
Illinois – $84,953 Rank: 9th

The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Elias Associates, Inc, Michael Page US, Clinical Management Consultants, and CHASE Professionals.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$36,000

$153,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana – $76,701 Rank: 20th

The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Career Transitions, AES Corporation, Aegis Worldwide, and fulltimeGiGS.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$25,000

$154,000

Salary Distribution
Kansas – $84,677 Rank: 10th

The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like 3coast, Edwards Place of Employment, and Southern Recruiters & Consultants, Inc..

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$36,000

$152,000

Salary Distribution
Kentucky – $80,367 Rank: 13th

The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Arthur Wright and Associates, Philips Recruiting Services, Austin Allen Company, and Randstad.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$36,000

$142,000

Salary Distribution
Louisiana – $67,593 Rank: 27th

The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Lafayette General Medical Center.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$160,000

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts – $78,840 Rank: 17th

The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MSG Staffing, CyberCoders, J Gustafson Associates, and Ampcus Inc.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$27,000

$158,000

Salary Distribution
Michigan – $96,488 Rank: 2nd

The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ASAP Search & Recruiters, SYNERGIES PLUS RESOURCES, Elias Associates, Inc, and Alliance Search Solutions.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$43,000

$171,000

Salary Distribution
Minnesota – $129,333 Rank: 1st

The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Diedre Moire and CyberCoders.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$65,000

$209,000

Salary Distribution
Missouri – $79,859 Rank: 14th

The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Philips Recruiting Services and CRTechnical.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$30,000

$152,000

Salary Distribution
Mississippi – $85,944 Rank: 8th

The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Arthur Wright and Associates, Philips Recruiting Services, Austin Allen Company, LLC, and Austin Allen Company.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$39,000

$151,000

Salary Distribution
North Carolina – $66,652 Rank: 29th

The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Top Gun Staffing Inc., Rice Consulting Group LLC, University of North Carolina, and U.S. Air Force.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$14,000

$160,000

Salary Distribution
New Jersey – $71,493 Rank: 24th

The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Artech Information Systems L.L.C. and DBD Enterprises, LLC; a recruiting company.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$22,000

$148,000

Salary Distribution
New York – $88,008 Rank: 6th

The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, Green Key Resources, DEPT OF DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION, and CyberCoders.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$21,000

$202,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio – $79,734 Rank: 15th

The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Austin Allen Company, LLC, Global Tech, Integrity Technical Services, Inc., and Phillips Staffing Solutions.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$34,000

$143,000

Salary Distribution
Oregon – $67,792 Rank: 26th

The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ajilon.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$22,000

$137,000

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania – $72,394 Rank: 23rd

The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Client Growth Consultants, CyberCoders, and Hire Demand LLC.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$26,000

$141,000

Salary Distribution
South Carolina – $86,622 Rank: 7th

The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Management Recruiters of Columbia, SC, Management Recruiters of Columbia, EHD Technologies, and Fluor Corp..

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$36,000

$159,000

Salary Distribution
South Dakota – $88,298 Rank: 4th

The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Experis.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$44,000

$144,000

Salary Distribution
Tennessee – $88,308 Rank: 3rd

The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Elias Associates, Inc, Clinton Street Recruiters, Gables Search Group, and Arthur Wright and Associates.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$44,000

$147,000

Salary Distribution
Texas – $75,071 Rank: 21st

The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Fluor Corp., Cameron, Petrasek Recruiting, and Philips Recruiting Services.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$22,000

$158,000

Salary Distribution
Utah – $62,680 Rank: 31st

The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Intermountain Healthcare.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$16,000

$138,000

Salary Distribution
Virginia – $80,838 Rank: 12th

The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Lodestar Executive Search, Fowler Placement Services, Inc., U.S. Air Force, and NewCareers.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$30,000

$155,000

Salary Distribution
Vermont – $66,882 Rank: 28th

The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Artisan Surfaces Inc..

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$18,000

$146,000

Salary Distribution
Washington – $70,352 Rank: 25th

The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AppleOne, Kittitas Valley Healthcare, and Aerotek.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$24,000

$139,000

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin – $78,756 Rank: 18th

The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Markent Personnel and Sterling Professional Search LLC.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$30,000

$150,000

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Employers

According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Materials Manager. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

Employer Name Location Average Salary
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Materials Manager California $157,483
CyberCoders Materials Manager New York $156,537
AccessSourceGroup Materials Manager Alabama $148,569
The Sterling Group Materials Manager California $129,993
Apple Materials Manager California $129,816
Global Technology Associates Materials Manager Alabama $124,320
JAS Recruitment Materials Manager New York $120,946
DBD Enterprises, LLC; a recruiting company Materials Manager New Jersey $120,226
Saudi Arabian Chevron Company Materials Manager Texas $120,000
ASAP Search & Recruiters Materials Manager Michigan $117,975
Pratt & Whitney Materials Manager Connecticut $116,934
SYNERGIES PLUS RESOURCES Materials Manager Michigan $116,803
Elias Associates, Inc Materials Manager Michigan $112,066
Austin Allen Company, LLC Materials Manager Georgia $111,421
Alliance Search Solutions Materials Manager Michigan $111,234
Cameron Craig Group Materials Manager Michigan $110,997
NewCareers Materials Manager Virginia $110,000

Learn More

Related Careers

Career Name Average Salary
Internal Auditor $83,754
Information Technology Manager $83,668
Information Security Analyst $83,417
Revenue Manager $83,304
Project Director $82,923
Business Systems Analyst $82,655
Senior Business Advisor $82,555
Certified Public Accountant $82,242
Forensic Accountant $82,160
Accounting Manager $81,709
Henry Steele
Henry Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

As Seen On

“It doesn't matter how many times you have failed, you only have to be right once.” - Mark Cuban