Salary guide
Materials Scientist Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What materials scientists earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median materials scientist salary in the U.S. is $117,790 per year, or $56.63 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $66,820, while the top 10% earned more than $197,290.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Materials Scientist pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $66,820 | $32.13 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $89,990 | $43.26 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $117,790 | $56.63 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $150,550 | $72.38 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $197,290 | $94.85 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $89,990 | $117,790 | $150,550 |
| Per month | $7,499 | $9,816 | $12,546 |
| Every two weeks | $3,461 | $4,530 | $5,790 |
| Per week | $1,731 | $2,265 | $2,895 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects materials scientist pay
- Education level (associate, bachelor’s or graduate degree)
- Industry (semiconductors, energy, pharmaceuticals and federal labs often pay more)
- Licenses and certifications such as the PE, FE or ASCP
- Specialized instruments, software and regulated-lab experience
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a materials scientist
- Get credentialed: Ph.D., Lab safety training, Instrument training.
- Build specialty experience: Research.
- Move up: roles such as senior scientist and research director typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Materials Scientist pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of materials scientists to change by +8.3% from 2025–35, much faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 600 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 19-2032 (“Materials scientists”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Materials Scientist salary FAQ
How much does a materials scientist make per hour?
The median hourly wage for materials scientists was $56.63 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $32.13 and the top 10% earned about $94.85 or more.
How much does a materials scientist make a month?
At the median annual wage of $117,790, that works out to about $9,816 per month before taxes, or about $4,530 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a materials scientist?
New materials scientists often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $66,820 and the 25th percentile was $89,990 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can materials scientists earn more?
Common ways include earning Ph.D. and Lab safety training, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as senior scientist.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 19-2032 (Materials scientists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Materials scientists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.