Materials Scientists pay range in Houston
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $56,870 a year or less, while the top 10% make $137,390 or more. The middle half of materials scientists in Houston earn between $67,820 and $118,000.
- $57K10th
- $68K25th
- $75KMedian
- $118K75th
- $137K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $88,340 | $7,362 | $42.47 |
| Median | $75,360 | $6,280 | $36.23 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $67,820 | $5,652 | $32.61 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $118,000 | $9,833 | $56.73 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Materials Scientists pay in Houston vs. Texas and the U.S.
Materials scientists in Houston earn about the same as the Texas average ($90,480) and 30% less than the U.S. average ($126,180). At the median the gap is -36% against the U.S. median of $117,790.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | $88,340 | $75,360 | $56,870 | $137,390 | 90 |
| Texas | $90,480 | $72,700 | $50,970 | $151,050 | 300 |
| 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 Houston
On the average salary of $88,340, a single filer in Houston takes home about $70,977 a year, or $5,915 a month and $2,730 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Houston a good place for materials scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Houston area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 98.6), so the average $88,340 buys what about $89,568 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Houston ($49,410). A typical home costs $308,306, or 3.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Materials Scientists salary in other Texas cities
Houston ranks 2nd of 3 Texas metro areas for this job; Dallas pays the most ($101,100).
- Dallas$101,100
- Houston$88,340
- College Station$60,280
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
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Materials Scientists salary in Houston: questions
How much do materials scientists make an hour in Houston?
$42.47 an hour on average, and $36.23 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level materials scientists salary in Houston?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $56,870 a year and the 25th percentile is $67,820, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the materials scientists take-home pay in Houston?
About $70,977 a year ($5,915 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $88,340. Texas has no state income tax.
Do materials scientists earn more in Houston than elsewhere?
The average here is 30% less 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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX (26420). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 9.2%.
- 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 no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.48, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.48).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.