As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Material Science Engineer in California is $84,501 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.
However, a Material Science Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Material Science Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $88,201 | $7,350 | $1,696 | $42 |
| Average | $84,501 | $7,042 | $1,625 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,401 | $6,283 | $1,450 | $36 |
Cannon Building - Carlsbad, CA
Allogene Therapeutics - Newark, CA
CXApp US, Inc. - San Ramon, CA
Sandisk - Milpitas, CA
A Material Science Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Material Science Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Material Science Engineer | 0-2 years | $84,408 |
| Intermediate Materials Engineer | 2-4 years | $99,710 |
| Materials Evaluation and Analysis Engineer III | 4-7 years | $112,868 |
| Materials Evaluation and Analysis Engineer IV | 7+ years | $137,803 |
| Expert Materials Engineer | 7-10 years | $168,568 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Material Science Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Material Science Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $94,684. While startup companies pay approximate $80,127.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $80,127 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $84,730 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $91,451 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $94,684 |
For Material Science Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Material Science Engineer positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Material Science Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $109,851 | $53.0 | 30% |
| Software & Networking | $109,851 | $53.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $101,401 | $49.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $97,176 | $47.0 | 15% |
| Chemicals | $92,951 | $45.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Material Science Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $88,201 | $7,350 | $1,696 | $42 |
| Average | $84,501 | $7,042 | $1,625 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,401 | $6,283 | $1,450 | $36 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Material Science Engineer, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramics Manufacturing Engineer | $99,800 | 18% |
| Intermediate Materials Engineer | $99,800 | 18% |
| Alloy and Materials Engineer II | $99,800 | 18% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Material Science Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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