Materials Scientists Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $117,790 · Median hourly: $56.63 · Employment: 8,470
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $66,820 | $32.13 |
| 25th | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| Median | $117,790 | $56.63 |
| 75th | $150,550 | $72.38 |
| 90th | $197,290 | $94.85 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 19-2032
- Total U.S. employment: 8,470
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
The mean wage of $126,180 sits 7.1% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Materials Scientists Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $177,030 | $85.11 | +50.3% | 1,030 |
| Colorado | $117,290 | $56.39 | -0.4% | 370 |
| Connecticut | $130,320 | $62.65 | +10.6% | 50 |
| Delaware | — | — | — | 90 |
| District of Columbia | $137,600 | $66.16 | +16.8% | 0 |
| Florida | $102,340 | $49.20 | -13.1% | 200 |
| Georgia | $91,970 | $44.22 | -21.9% | 350 |
| Illinois | $125,850 | $60.50 | +6.8% | 380 |
| Indiana | $130,540 | $62.76 | +10.8% | 320 |
| Iowa | $88,320 | $42.46 | -25.0% | 180 |
| Kansas | $115,490 | $55.52 | -2.0% | 40 |
| Maryland | $112,400 | $54.04 | -4.6% | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $132,600 | $63.75 | +12.6% | 890 |
| Michigan | $107,410 | $51.64 | -8.8% | 230 |
| Minnesota | $132,160 | $63.54 | +12.2% | 290 |
| Montana | $71,810 | $34.53 | -39.0% | 50 |
| Nevada | $97,490 | $46.87 | -17.2% | 100 |
| New Hampshire | $119,990 | $57.69 | +1.9% | 80 |
| New Jersey | $103,150 | $49.59 | -12.4% | 440 |
| New York | $131,740 | $63.34 | +11.8% | 530 |
| North Carolina | $106,470 | $51.19 | -9.6% | 490 |
| Ohio | $108,830 | $52.32 | -7.6% | 450 |
| Oregon | $150,550 | $72.38 | +27.8% | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $106,920 | $51.41 | -9.2% | 100 |
| South Carolina | $101,930 | $49.01 | -13.5% | 80 |
| Tennessee | $69,010 | $33.18 | -41.4% | 60 |
| Texas | $72,700 | $34.95 | -38.3% | 300 |
| Utah | $126,840 | $60.98 | +7.7% | 110 |
| Virginia | $124,150 | $59.69 | +5.4% | 100 |
| Washington | $127,250 | $61.18 | +8.0% | 290 |
| Wisconsin | $137,700 | $66.20 | +16.9% | 70 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $49,590/yr
- Accountants and Auditors — $83,680/yr
- Nursing Assistants — $42,260/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $69,500/yr
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,780/yr
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides — $35,800/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for materials scientists?
The median annual wage for materials scientists is $117,790 ($56.63 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays materials scientists the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many materials scientists are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 8,470 materials scientists employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do materials scientists make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $56.63. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.