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Material Scientist Salary in the United States

How much does a Material Scientist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Material Scientist in the United States is $95,428 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

However, a Material Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $113,850
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $83,749 to $105,071
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,116
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Material Scientist Salaries

A Material Scientist'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.

How Experience Level Affects Material Scientist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Material Scientist'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $57,600
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $74,667
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $94,719
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $109,528
  • Expert (over 8 years): $86,080
Levels Salary
Materials... Level Material Scientist$57,600
Materials... Level Material Scientist$74,667
Material ... Level Material Scientist$94,719
Materials... Level Material Scientist$109,528
Materials... Level Material Scientist$86,080
View as Graph

How Do Material Scientist Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Scientists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $105,658.
  • California: $105,257.
  • Massachusetts: $103,855.

Top Paying Cities for Material Scientists

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:

  • San Jose: $120,364
  • San Francisco: $119,046
  • Oakland: $116,537

Material Scientist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Material Scientist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Material Scientist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Material Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Material Scientist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$109,742$53.015%
Financial Services$106,880$51.012%
Biotechnology$104,971$50.010%
Internet$104,971$50.010%
Software & Networking$104,971$50.010%

Material Scientist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Material Scientist'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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$83,749
Average $95,428/year
$105,071
$6,979
Average $7,952/month
$8,756
$1,611
Average $1,835/week
$2,021
$40
Average $46/hour
$51
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $105,071 $8,756 $2,021 $51
Average $95,428 $7,952 $1,835 $46
25th Percentile $83,749 $6,979 $1,611 $40

Most common benefits for Material Scientist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Material Scientist

Here are companies hiring for Material Scientist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Material Scientist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Material Scientist?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Material Scientist roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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