How much does a materials scientist make?
a year · about $57 an hour
A typical materials scientist in the United States makes $117,790 a year, about $57 an hour, about 2.3× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They prepare tiny samples, then test how heat, pressure, or corrosion affects them and analyze the results with lab tools or computer models. They write reports recommending materials or ways to improve them.
Did you know? Texas A&M materials scientists made a polymer that can partly heal a puncture, leaving a smaller hole—but so far this has only been seen at the nanoscale and extreme temperatures.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $66,820 and $197,290How do you become one?
In the U.S., earn at least a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related physical science; lab internships help, and some research jobs need a master’s or Ph.D. Many start after college, often in their early 20s.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like figuring things out and building and doing
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, advanced education, useful skills, location, and whether someone works for a company, research lab, or college. Hours can matter too: deadlines or time-sensitive experiments may require extra or off-hours work.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($177,030), lowest in Tennessee ($69,010).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $66,820 | $117,790 | $197,290 | about 8,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $177,030 | about 1,000 |
| Oregon | $150,550 | about 100 |
| Wisconsin | $137,700 | about 70 |
| District of Columbia | $137,600 | — |
| Massachusetts | $132,600 | about 890 |
Official definition: Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass. Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications. Includes glass scientists, ceramic scientists, metallurgical scientists, and polymer scientists.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/chemists-and-materials-scientis
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-2032.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- engineering.tamu.edu/news/2025/04/new-self-healing-polymer-possesses-a-quality-n
- nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=569
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY