Materials Scientist Salary in Milwaukee, WI — 2026
Materials Scientist salary data for Milwaukee, WI — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.
The median Materials Scientist salary in Milwaukee, WI is $88,200 per year ($7,350/month, $42/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 90, which is 10% below the national average.
Materials Scientist Take-Home Pay in Milwaukee
Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)
| Gross Annual | $88,200 |
| Federal Tax | -$10,574 |
| State Tax (5.3%) | -$4,675 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | -$6,747 |
| Annual Take-Home | $66,204 |
| Monthly Take-Home | $5,517 |
Living Cost Comparison
Materials Scientist Requirements
Key Skills
Milwaukee Job Market Overview
Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a population of 577,222 and an unemployment rate of 3.8%. The top industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance. The local job growth rate is 1.2%, and the average commute time is 23 minutes.
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Salary Percentile Breakdown — Materials Scientist in Milwaukee
Based on the cost-of-living-adjusted distribution for Materials Scientist in Milwaukee, WI, here's how earnings break down across the workforce:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Equivalent | Career Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest) | $61,200 | $29/hr | Entry-level, < 1 yr exp. |
| 25th | $74,700 | $36/hr | Junior, 1-3 yrs exp. |
| 50th (median) | $88,200 | $42/hr | Mid-career, 3-5 years |
| 75th | $121,500 | $58/hr | Senior, 5-10 yrs exp. |
| 90th (top) | $148,500 | $71/hr | Lead/Principal, 10+ yrs |
Percentiles estimated using a log-normal salary distribution model calibrated to Materials Scientist compensation data. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Milwaukee's Manufacturing sector.
5-Year Salary Trajectory
Materials Scientist salaries in Milwaukee have grown approximately 10.0% over the past 5 years, outpacing local CPI inflation in many cases. Here's the historical and projected trajectory:
Year-over-year, an average Materials Scientist can expect a 10.3% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 7 years in Milwaukee. Negotiation, certifications (PE License), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.
Milwaukee vs National Average
The national median Materials Scientist salary is $98,000. In Milwaukee, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $88,200 is 10.0% below the national figure. This reflects Milwaukee's cost of living index of 90 (lower than the national average of 100).
For Materials Scientists, this means: rent typically consumes 19.0% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered affordable), and a median home in Milwaukee costs about 2.6× annual take-home. Homeownership is relatively attainable on this salary in Milwaukee.
Industry Context: Manufacturing in Milwaukee
Milwaukee's economy is anchored by Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance, with 577,222 residents and 3.8% unemployment as of 2026. Materials Scientists working in the Manufacturing sector typically earn at or above the local median due to industry-specific demand. The state's overall job growth rate is 1.2%, and Materials Scientist occupations specifically are projected to grow 6.0% nationally through 2034 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).
Methodology & Data Sources
How we calculate Materials Scientist salaries in Milwaukee, WI:
- Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available. For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
- Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Milwaukee index of 90 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs checked separately.
- Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
- Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), WI state income tax of 5.3%, and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
- Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.
Authoritative data sources:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — national and metro-area salary data
- O*NET OnLine — occupation tasks, alternate job titles, skills, and SOC crosswalks
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — occupation outlook where a matching profile is available
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation and cost-of-living data
- U.S. Census Bureau — Milwaukee QuickFacts — population and demographic data
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Milwaukee unemployment rate
Last reviewed: 2026. Salary data updated annually as new BLS releases become available. Materials Scientist salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Manufacturing vs others in Milwaukee), specific skill set (Materials Characterization, XRD, SEM), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Materials Scientist salary in Milwaukee, WI?
How much does a Materials Scientist take home in Milwaukee after taxes?
Is Milwaukee a good city for Materials Scientists?
What skills are needed for a Materials Scientist in Milwaukee?
How does Materials Scientist salary in Milwaukee compare to the national average?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Materials Scientist salary in Milwaukee, WI?
The median Materials Scientist salary in Milwaukee, WI is $88,200 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 90. Entry-level Materials Scientists earn around $61,200, while senior-level professionals can earn $121,500 or more.
How much does a Materials Scientist take home in Milwaukee after taxes?
A Materials Scientist earning the median salary of $88,200 in Milwaukee, WI takes home approximately $66,204 per year ($5,517/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 24.9%.
Is Milwaukee a good city for Materials Scientists?
Milwaukee, WI has a cost of living index of 90 (below national average). Materials Scientists here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.8% and top industries include Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance.
What skills are needed for a Materials Scientist in Milwaukee?
Key skills for Materials Scientists include Materials Characterization, XRD, SEM, Polymer Science, Metallurgy. Typical education requirement is Master's/Doctorate. Valuable certifications include PE License.
How does Materials Scientist salary in Milwaukee compare to the national average?
The national median Materials Scientist salary is $98,000. In Milwaukee, the adjusted salary is $88,200, which is 10.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.