Materials Scientist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Materials Scientists Make?
Materials Scientists earn a median annual salary of $104,160 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $61,460 at the 10th percentile to $168,500 at the 90th percentile — a range of $107,040. The highest-paying state is New Hampshire at $136,300.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,460 |
| 25th percentile | $79,980 |
| Median (50th) | $104,160 |
| 75th percentile | $134,140 |
| 90th percentile | $168,500 |
Materials Scientist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshiretop | $136,300 |
| California | $131,530 |
| Colorado | $126,980 |
| New York | $125,490 |
| Florida | $122,910 |
| Wisconsin | $120,520 |
| Illinois | $120,320 |
| Virginia | $118,820 |
| Utah | $118,720 |
| Massachusetts | $118,270 |
| Oklahoma | $115,840 |
| Minnesota | $114,070 |
| Washington | $110,470 |
| Maryland | $106,320 |
| Oregon | $103,980 |
| Pennsylvania | $103,060 |
| Ohio | $101,950 |
| Kansas | $98,110 |
| Delaware | $98,020 |
| Iowa | $95,990 |
| Indiana | $94,900 |
| North Carolina | $94,730 |
| Michigan | $93,350 |
| South Carolina | $87,920 |
| Nevada | $86,010 |
| Maine | $83,370 |
| New Jersey | $83,120 |
| Georgia | $81,420 |
| Texas | $80,560 |
| Montana | $56,750 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Materials Scientists
Materials Scientist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$61,460 – $79,980 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$104,160 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$134,140 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $168,500+ |
How to Earn More as a Materials Scientist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Materials Scientists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $131,530 — $27,370 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($134,140) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Materials Scientist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Materials Scientistthis career | $104,160 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineer | $106,950 |
| Chemical Engineer | $121,860 |
| Electrical Engineer | $111,910 |
| Electronics Engineer | $127,590 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Materials Scientist requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 19-2032.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.