Materials Scientist Salary in 2026
Study and develop materials with new or improved properties for various applications.
Median Salary
$98,000
$8,167/mo
Entry Level
$68,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$135,000
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
10-yr outlook
Materials Scientist Overview
Study and develop materials with new or improved properties for various applications.
Education
Master's/Doctorate
Experience
3-5 years
Industry
Science
Total Jobs (US)
8K
5-Year Growth
+10%
Category
Science
Hourly Rate
$47.12/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,167
Materials Scientist Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Materials Scientist salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Materials Scientist Salary
$112,000
$9,333/month · $4,308/biweekly · $53.85/hr
Materials Scientist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Materials Scientist field.
Entry-level Materials Scientists earn around $68,000, while the top 10% earn $150,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Materials Scientists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $116,000 | +$18,000 |
| Massachusetts | $110,000 | +$12,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,000 | $0 |
| Michigan | $93,000 | $-5,000 |
| Ohio | $93,000 | $-5,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Materials Scientists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $125,000 | +$27,000 |
| Boston | $110,000 | +$12,000 |
| Philadelphia | $100,000 | +$2,000 |
| Detroit | $93,000 | $-5,000 |
| Cleveland | $91,000 | $-7,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Materials Scientist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Materials Scientist from entry level to expert.
$68,000
0-2 years
$102,000
3-7 years
$135,000
8-14 years
$165,000
15+ years
Related Science Jobs
Materials Scientist Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Materials Scientist Salary
How we calculate Materials Scientist salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $98,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Materials Scientist in the Science sector.
- Entry-level ($68,000) and senior-level ($135,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +6% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 8K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 10% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Science sector wages.
- Education requirement: Master's/Doctorate, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $98,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Materials Scientist compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Materials Scientist job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Science
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Materials Scientist salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Materials Characterization, XRD, SEM), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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