How much does a materials scientist make?
The median materials scientist in the United States earns $117,790 per year, about $56.63 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all materials scientists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 19-2032.
Materials scientist salary range
Pay for materials scientists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $66,820 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $197,290. The average (mean) wage of $126,180 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $66,820 | $32.13 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $89,990 | $43.26 | |
| Median (50th) | $117,790 | $56.63 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $150,550 | $72.38 | |
| 90th percentile | $197,290 | $94.85 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for materials scientists (SOC 19-2032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Materials scientist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Materials scientists earn the most in California at $177,030 a year, and the least in Tennessee at $69,010. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $177,030 | 1,030 |
| Oregon | $150,550 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $137,700 | 70 |
| District of Columbia | $137,600 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $132,600 | 890 |
| Minnesota | $132,160 | 290 |
| New York | $131,740 | 530 |
| Indiana | $130,540 | 320 |
| Connecticut | $130,320 | 50 |
| Washington | $127,250 | 290 |
| Utah | $126,840 | 110 |
| Illinois | $125,850 | 380 |
| Virginia | $124,150 | 100 |
| New Hampshire | $119,990 | 80 |
| Colorado | $117,290 | 370 |
| Kansas | $115,490 | 40 |
| Maryland | $112,400 | 270 |
| Ohio | $108,830 | 450 |
| Michigan | $107,410 | 230 |
| Pennsylvania | $106,920 | 100 |
| North Carolina | $106,470 | 490 |
| New Jersey | $103,150 | 440 |
| Florida | $102,340 | 200 |
| South Carolina | $101,930 | 80 |
| Nevada | $97,490 | 100 |
| Georgia | $91,970 | 350 |
| Iowa | $88,320 | 180 |
| Texas | $72,700 | 300 |
| Montana | $71,810 | 50 |
| Tennessee | $69,010 | 60 |
State median wages for materials scientists (SOC 19-2032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for materials scientists
The BLS projects employment of materials scientists to grow 8.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 8,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 9,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 600 openings a year for materials scientists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a materials scientist
The typical entry-level education for materials scientists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a materials scientist earns
Degree level, employer type, and field of research drive the numbers. Roles in private industry and government labs often pay above academic and entry-level positions.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $177,030) and the lowest (Tennessee, $69,010) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 8,470 people work as materials scientists in the United States. At $117,790 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Materials scientist salary FAQ
How much does a materials scientist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a materials scientist is $56.63. The middle half of materials scientists earn between $43.26 and $72.38 per hour.
What is the highest materials scientist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of materials scientists earn more than $197,290 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a materials scientist make a year?
The median annual salary for a materials scientist is $117,790. The average (mean) wage of $126,180 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a materials scientist a well paid job?
At $117,790 a year, a materials scientist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 8,470 people work as materials scientists in the United States.
Which state pays materials scientists the most?
California has the highest median salary for materials scientists at $177,030 a year. Oregon ($150,550) and Wisconsin ($137,700) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a materials scientist a good career?
Employment of materials scientists is projected to grow 8.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a materials scientist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for materials scientists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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