Materials Scientists salary
The BLS estimates 8,470 Materials Scientists jobs in the U.S. with a median base pay of $117,790 (May 2025, SOC 19-2032). Across 9 metros with published figures, medians range from $93,240 in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA to $231,710 in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE8,470 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall U.S. employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
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HIGHEST-PAYING METROS
- San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$231,710 · 380 jobs
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$149,980 · 200 jobs
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$133,340 · 460 jobs
- Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$132,600 · 700 jobs
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$132,160 · 270 jobs
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$120,650 · 560 jobs
- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN$107,500 · 200 jobs
- Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$106,720 · 240 jobs
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$93,240 · 240 jobs
LARGEST METROS
- Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$132,600 · 700 jobs
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$120,650 · 560 jobs
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$133,340 · 460 jobs
- San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$231,710 · 380 jobs
- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$132,160 · 270 jobs
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$93,240 · 240 jobs
- Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$106,720 · 240 jobs
- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN$107,500 · 200 jobs
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$149,980 · 200 jobs
EMPLOYERS WITH THE MOST VISA-SPONSORED FILINGS FOR THIS JOB
- The Dow Chemical33 filings
- Ut-battelle, LLC (oak Ridge National Lab26 filings
- Brookhaven National Laboratory20 filings
- Northwestern University16 filings
- Iowa State University of Science and Tec9 filings
- Underwriters Laboratories9 filings
- Western Digital Technologies8 filings
- Applied Materials7 filings
- University of Connecticut7 filings
- ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering7 filings
- University of Michigan6 filings
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory6 filings
ALL METROS (A–Z)
Questions
What is the median Materials Scientists salary in the U.S.?
$117,790 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half earn $89,990–$150,550.
Where do Materials Scientists earn the most?
Highest metro medians: San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($231,710), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($149,980), Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ($133,340). Cost of living differs, so compare offers locally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025 (metro, state and national estimates). Employer filing counts: U.S. DOL OFLC LCA disclosure data FY2026 Q3, visa-sponsored positions only.