Materials Scientist Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$104,000
national median salary
$80,000 to $134,000. Last updated July 2026.
Highest Paying
$141,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$109,000
Kansas City, MO
Lowest Paying
$83,000
Little Rock, AR
Salary data sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), state pay-transparency job postings, and community submissions. Most ranges are anchored to BLS OES occupation wage percentiles and placed by seniority level (entry near the 25th, mid at the median, senior at the 75th); a minority of emerging roles retain a modeled estimate where BLS has no matching series. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated July 2026. Baseline derived from BLS SOC 19-2032. Full methodology.
The average Materials Scientist salary in the United States is $104,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $80,000 at the 25th percentile to $134,000 at the 75th. San Jose pays the most at $141,000, while Kansas City offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Industry sector and degree level create the widest pay gaps.
Materials Scientist salary by city.
Skills that increase Materials Scientist pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Materials Scientists based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $14,560 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$14,560 per year
≈ +$13,520 per year
≈ +$12,480 per year
≈ +$11,440 per year
≈ +$11,440 per year
≈ +$10,400 per year
≈ +$10,400 per year
≈ +$9,360 per year
What you should know.
Industry sector and degree level create the widest pay gaps. PhD holders in semiconductor, battery, or advanced composites research earn 25 to 40% more than those with bachelor's degrees. National lab and defense roles add clearance premiums. Expertise in characterization techniques like electron microscopy and spectroscopy boosts marketability.
Entry-level materials scientists start at $76,000 to $88,000 with a master's degree. Senior scientists earn $98,000 to $128,000 after five to eight years. Research directors and principal scientists reach $135,000 to $180,000, with fellows at top labs exceeding $200,000.
Corporate R&D labs offer bonuses of 8 to 15% and patent bonuses of $2,000 to $5,000 per filing. National labs provide federal benefits, pension contributions, and relocation packages. Semiconductor firms add equity grants worth $10,000 to $35,000 annually.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Materials Scientists typically earn $94,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Materials Scientist pay.
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