Materials Scientist Salary
Materials Scientists earn a median $117,790 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What materials scientists do
Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass. Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +8.3% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 600
Employment of materials scientists is projected to grow 8.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 600 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Materials Scientist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$17,084
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,303
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,708
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$91,695
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,820 | $32.13 | $55,838 |
| 25th percentile | $89,990 | $43.26 | $72,138 |
| Median (50th) | $117,790 | $56.63 | $91,695 |
| 75th percentile | $150,550 | $72.38 | $114,167 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $197,290 | $94.85 | $146,907 |
Materials Scientist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $177,030 | +34.6% | $117,730 | $96,050 – $239,200+ | 1,030 |
| Oregon | $150,550 | +44.8% | $101,563 | $105,030 – $199,000 | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $137,700 | +14.3% | $99,466 | $73,650 – $160,640 | 70 |
| District of Columbia | $137,600 | — | $96,588 | $132,790 – $161,700 | — |
| Massachusetts | $132,600 | +12.1% | $95,488 | $96,310 – $168,390 | 890 |
| Minnesota | $132,160 | +15.9% | $94,056 | $83,500 – $172,500 | 290 |
| New York | $131,740 | +5.0% | $94,578 | $87,880 – $204,830 | 530 |
| Indiana | $130,540 | +37.6% | $96,669 | $53,660 – $197,910 | 320 |
| Connecticut | $130,320 | — | $94,671 | $72,440 – $201,790 | 50 |
| Washington | $127,250 | +15.2% | $98,241 | $76,390 – $209,800 | 290 |
| Utah | $126,840 | +6.8% | $93,219 | $67,360 – $175,440 | 110 |
| Illinois | $125,850 | +4.6% | $91,200 | $84,070 – $184,130 | 380 |
| Virginia | $124,150 | +4.5% | $89,798 | $63,820 – $184,840 | 100 |
| New Hampshire | $119,990 | −12.0% | $93,243 | $65,200 – $173,640 | 80 |
| Colorado | $117,290 | −7.6% | $86,891 | $76,820 – $160,770 | 370 |
| Kansas | $115,490 | +17.7% | $84,433 | $86,800 – $182,780 | 40 |
| Maryland | $112,400 | +5.7% | $82,913 | $69,990 – $165,670 | 270 |
| Ohio | $108,830 | +6.7% | $83,181 | $54,620 – $159,130 | 450 |
| Michigan | $107,410 | +15.1% | $80,079 | $54,240 – $167,940 | 230 |
| Pennsylvania | $106,920 | +3.7% | $80,766 | $68,850 – $159,170 | 100 |
| North Carolina | $106,470 | +12.4% | $79,992 | $65,720 – $161,870 | 490 |
| New Jersey | $103,150 | +24.1% | $77,015 | $79,450 – $139,550 | 440 |
| Florida | $102,340 | −16.7% | $80,826 | $77,270 – $155,070 | 200 |
| South Carolina | $101,930 | +15.9% | $75,579 | $70,060 – $137,490 | 80 |
| Nevada | $97,490 | +13.3% | $77,414 | $78,350 – $121,610 | 100 |
| Georgia | $91,970 | +13.0% | $69,380 | $63,820 – $154,600 | 350 |
| Iowa | $88,320 | −8.0% | $68,259 | $52,450 – $149,020 | 180 |
| Texas | $72,700 | −9.8% | $59,974 | $50,970 – $151,050 | 300 |
| Montana | $71,810 | +26.5% | $56,652 | $55,030 – $129,960 | 50 |
| Tennessee | $69,010 | — | $57,379 | $57,800 – $150,590 | 60 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $91,240 | Bachelor's degree | +6.4% |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $122,570 | Bachelor's degree | +2.1% |
| Astronomer | $128,820 | Doctoral or professional degree | +7.8% |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $101,920 | Bachelor's degree | +5.1% |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $99,070 | Bachelor's degree | +2.6% |
| Hydrologist | $96,600 | Bachelor's degree | +1.5% |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,220 | Bachelor's degree | +6.1% |
| Physicist | $172,250 | Doctoral or professional degree | +7.2% |
| Economist | $124,720 | Master's degree | +4.7% |
| Psychologists, All Other | $110,840 | Master's degree | +2.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a materials scientist make?
The national median salary for materials scientists is $117,790 a year ($56.63 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $66,820 and the top 10% earn over $197,290. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays materials scientists the most?
California has the highest median pay at $177,030.
How many materials scientists are there in the U.S.?
About 8,470 people work as materials scientists nationwide.