Materials Scientists pay range in Worcester
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $97,870 a year or less, while the top 10% make $173,410 or more. The middle half of materials scientists in Worcester earn between $143,610 and $165,770.
- $98K10th
- $144K25th
- $151KMedian
- $166K75th
- $173K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $150,530 | $12,544 | $72.37 |
| Median | $151,070 | $12,589 | $72.63 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $143,610 | $11,968 | $69.04 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $165,770 | $13,814 | $79.70 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Materials Scientists pay in Worcester vs. Massachusetts and the U.S.
Materials scientists in Worcester earn 13% more than the Massachusetts average ($133,360) and 19% more than the U.S. average ($126,180). At the median the gap is +28% against the U.S. median of $117,790.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester | $150,530 | $151,070 | $97,870 | $173,410 | 80 |
| Massachusetts | $133,360 | $132,600 | $96,310 | $168,390 | 890 |
| United States | $126,180 | $117,790 | $66,820 | $197,290 | 8,470 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Materials Scientists salary after taxes in Worcester
On the average salary of $150,530, a single filer in Worcester takes home about $106,947 a year, or $8,912 a month and $4,113 every two weeks. Taxes take 29% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums are not included.
Is Worcester a good place for materials scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Worcester area are 3% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 102.5), so the average $150,530 buys what about $146,826 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Worcester ($57,830). A typical home costs $482,611, or 3.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Materials Scientists salary in other Massachusetts cities
Worcester ranks 1st of 2 Massachusetts metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Worcester$150,530
- Boston$132,890
Highest-paying cities for materials scientists
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($225,960).
- San Francisco, CA$225,960
- San Jose, CA$225,780
- Los Angeles, CA$154,850
- Portland, OR$151,750
- Worcester, MA$150,530
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Materials Scientists salary in Worcester: questions
How much do materials scientists make an hour in Worcester?
$72.37 an hour on average, and $72.63 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level materials scientists salary in Worcester?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $97,870 a year and the 25th percentile is $143,610, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the materials scientists take-home pay in Worcester?
About $106,947 a year ($8,912 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $150,530. Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums are not included.
Do materials scientists earn more in Worcester than elsewhere?
The average here is 19% more than the U.S. average for this job ($126,180).
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; area Worcester, MA (49340). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.4%.
- 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.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 4.34, this job is 4.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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