Top 15 cities for materials scientists by average salary
| San Francisco, CA | $225,960 |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $225,780 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $154,850 |
| Portland, OR | $151,750 |
| Worcester, MA | $150,530 |
| Seattle, WA | $142,280 |
| Chicago, IL | $140,350 |
| Albany, NY | $138,310 |
| Boston, MA | $132,890 |
| Riverside, CA | $129,240 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $127,130 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $124,850 |
| Detroit, MI | $124,000 |
| New York, NY | $123,720 |
| Boulder, CO | $122,330 |
Map: Materials Scientists salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Materials Scientists salary by state
California pays materials scientists the most statewide, $189,460 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $189,460 | $177,030 | 1,030 | 5 | $225,960 | $102,920 |
| Oregon | $154,140 | $150,550 | 100 | 1 | $151,750 | $151,750 |
| Washington, D.C. | $141,040 | $137,600 | n/a | 1 | $121,680 | $121,680 |
| Washington | $139,140 | $127,250 | 290 | 1 | $142,280 | $142,280 |
| New York | $138,200 | $131,740 | 530 | 3 | $138,310 | $115,060 |
| Massachusetts | $133,360 | $132,600 | 890 | 2 | $150,530 | $132,890 |
| Illinois | $129,980 | $125,850 | 380 | 1 | $140,350 | $140,350 |
| Connecticut | $128,460 | $130,320 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Wisconsin | $128,070 | $137,700 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Indiana | $127,210 | $130,540 | 320 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Utah | $126,590 | $126,840 | 110 | 1 | $110,960 | $110,960 |
| New Hampshire | $126,200 | $119,990 | 80 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Minnesota | $125,000 | $132,160 | 290 | 1 | $124,850 | $124,850 |
| Virginia | $124,880 | $124,150 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kansas | $118,360 | $115,490 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Colorado | $118,330 | $117,290 | 370 | 2 | $122,330 | $118,860 |
| Michigan | $117,800 | $107,410 | 230 | 1 | $124,000 | $124,000 |
| Maryland | $113,450 | $112,400 | 270 | 1 | $106,790 | $106,790 |
| North Carolina | $110,700 | $106,470 | 490 | 3 | $113,310 | $110,990 |
| Ohio | $110,640 | $108,830 | 450 | 4 | $118,440 | $99,670 |
| Florida | $108,590 | $102,340 | 200 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Jersey | $107,960 | $103,150 | 440 | 1 | $117,670 | $117,670 |
| Pennsylvania | $107,370 | $106,920 | 100 | 1 | $127,130 | $127,130 |
| South Carolina | $105,730 | $101,930 | 80 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Georgia | $99,800 | $91,970 | 350 | 1 | $98,270 | $98,270 |
| Iowa | $99,050 | $88,320 | 180 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Nevada | $96,880 | $97,490 | 100 | 1 | $98,110 | $98,110 |
| Texas | $90,480 | $72,700 | 300 | 3 | $101,100 | $60,280 |
| Tennessee | $81,300 | $69,010 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Montana | $75,610 | $71,810 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kentucky | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $70,150 | $70,150 |
Materials Scientists salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $225,960 | $231,710 | $108.63 | 380 |
| San Jose, CA | $225,780 | $231,920 | $108.55 | 180 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $154,850 | $149,980 | $74.45 | 200 |
| Portland, OR | $151,750 | $150,550 | $72.96 | 90 |
| Worcester, MA | $150,530 | $151,070 | $72.37 | 80 |
| Seattle, WA | $142,280 | $137,520 | $68.40 | 50 |
| Chicago, IL | $140,350 | $133,340 | $67.48 | 460 |
| Albany, NY | $138,310 | $132,650 | $66.49 | 150 |
| Boston, MA | $132,890 | $132,600 | $63.89 | 700 |
| Riverside, CA | $129,240 | $129,050 | $62.13 | 50 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $127,130 | $127,470 | $61.12 | 180 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $124,850 | $132,160 | $60.02 | 270 |
| Detroit, MI | $124,000 | $107,650 | $59.61 | 100 |
| New York, NY | $123,720 | $120,650 | $59.48 | 560 |
| Boulder, CO | $122,330 | $126,880 | $58.81 | 60 |
| Washington, DC | $121,680 | $127,490 | $58.50 | 120 |
| Denver, CO | $118,860 | $106,720 | $57.14 | 240 |
| Cleveland, OH | $118,440 | $111,810 | $56.94 | 50 |
| Trenton, NJ | $117,670 | $117,650 | $56.57 | 60 |
| Akron, OH | $115,650 | $109,720 | $55.60 | 70 |
| Rochester, NY | $115,060 | $102,890 | $55.32 | 40 |
| Charlotte, NC | $113,310 | $102,070 | $54.47 | 60 |
| Durham, NC | $112,420 | $123,070 | $54.05 | 110 |
| Greensboro, NC | $110,990 | $106,470 | $53.36 | 60 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $110,960 | $101,120 | $53.35 | 30 |
| Baltimore, MD | $106,790 | $92,390 | $51.34 | 130 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $105,030 | $107,500 | $50.50 | 200 |
| San Diego, CA | $102,920 | $96,050 | $49.48 | 80 |
| Dallas, TX | $101,100 | $82,080 | $48.61 | 60 |
| Columbus, OH | $99,670 | $104,430 | $47.92 | 80 |
| Atlanta, GA | $98,270 | $93,240 | $47.25 | 240 |
| Reno, NV | $98,110 | $97,750 | $47.17 | 60 |
| Houston, TX | $88,340 | $75,360 | $42.47 | 90 |
| Louisville, KY | $70,150 | $60,690 | $33.72 | 40 |
| College Station, TX | $60,280 | $63,390 | $28.98 | 60 |
Related jobs
- PhysicistsU.S. average $171,180
- Atmospheric and Space ScientistsU.S. average $106,110
- ChemistsU.S. average $100,450
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthU.S. average $91,680
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and GeographersU.S. average $116,150
- Physical Scientists, All OtherU.S. average $129,230
- HydrologistsU.S. average $103,600
- AstronomersU.S. average $132,920
Materials Scientists salary: questions
Where do materials scientists make the most money?
In San Francisco, CA, with an average of $225,960 a year, among the 35 metro areas we cover.
What is the average materials scientists salary in the U.S.?
$126,180 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $117,790, so half of materials scientists earn more than that and half less.
What salary should materials scientists ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of materials scientists nationwide earn between $89,990 (25th percentile) and $150,550 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays materials scientists the most?
California, with a statewide average of $189,460 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is materials scientists pay the lowest?
College Station, TX, at $60,280 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-2032.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.