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Materials Scientist Salary & Career Insights
What is the average salary for a materials scientist in the United States?
$106,160 per year
According to the BLS.gov, the average salary for a materials scientist in the United States is $106,160 annually. The lowest salary is $64,130 annually, and the highest is $170,900 annually.
Our salary data comes from BLS.gov. The salaries presented here are the 2023 median pay.
Job Outlook & Work Environment
Job Outlook
🚀 9,200; estimated number of materials scientist jobs in 2023.
☀️ The projected job outlook for materials scientists is 8%, which is faster than average.
Work Environment
💼 Materials scientists typically work in laboratories and offices.
🏢 31% of materials scientists work in the research and development department of physical, engineering, or life sciences companies.
Materials Scientist Salary in Comparison to Patent Law Salaries
Becoming a patent practitioner by taking the Patent bar exam will very likely significantly increase your salary as a materials scientist.
How Does a Materials Scientist Salary Stack Up?
The average annual salary for materials scientists is around $106,000. If you take the Patent bar exam as a materials scientist, you can expect your income to increase by about $25,000 annually since patent agents earn around $130,000 annually.
If you become a patent attorney, you can expect your average yearly salary to increase to $185,000.
Top Materials Scientist Salaries by Industry
| Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Professional Equipment Wholesalers | $157,430 |
| Navigational and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $153,650 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | $132,060 |
| Semiconductor and Manufacturing | $131,140 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $128,090 |
Salary by Materials Scientist Industry
In the U.S., the average materials scientist salary is $106,160. However, depending on the industry you get into, you may earn more.
The highest average salary for material scientists is found in the Professional Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers industry at $157,430. This is closely followed by the Navigational and Control Instruments Manufacturing industry at $153,650.
The average salary drops to $128,090 for Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services, which is still higher than the pay for a typical materials scientist. It pays to look into different industries.
Experience & Education
Here are some typical daily activities of a materials scientist:
- Analyzing Data or Information — Breaking down information or data to understand its fundamental principles, reasons, or facts.
- Gathering Information — Collecting and acquiring information from all pertinent sources through observation and reception.
- Processing Information — Organizing, coding, classifying, calculating, auditing, or verifying data or information.
- Decision Making and Problem Solving — Evaluating information and results to determine the best solutions and resolve issues.
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Observing and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment to identify or assess issues.
Here are the typical skills you need to work as a materials scientist:
- Active Listening — Fully concentrating on what others are saying, taking time to grasp the points being made, asking relevant questions, and avoiding interruptions at inappropriate times.
- Complex Problem Solving — Recognizing intricate problems and analyzing related information to create, assess, and implement solutions.
- Critical Thinking — Applying logic and reasoning to pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of different solutions, conclusions, or methods for addressing problems.
- Reading Comprehension — Grasping the meaning of written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Science — Applying scientific principles and methods to resolve issues.
Knowledge required to work as a materials scientist:
- Engineering and Technology — Understanding the practical use of engineering science and technology, including the application of principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment for designing and producing various products and services.
- Chemistry — Understanding the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances, as well as the chemical processes and transformations they undergo. This encompasses the uses of chemicals, their interactions, warning signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
- Physics — Understanding and predicting physical principles and laws, including their interconnections and applications in fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, as well as mechanical, electrical, atomic, and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Average Education
According to data on onetonline.org, 62% of materials scientists have a Bachelor’s degree, 14% have a Doctoral degree, and 10% have a Master’s degree.
Top Materials Scientist Salaries by Location
Factors that Impact Pay
San Jose, CA, leads in average salaries for material scientists with an average annual salary of $158,350.
San Francisco, CA, follows with $145,680, indicating a competitive compensation landscape within California. There is a gradual decline in average salaries moving to cities like Albany, NY ($135,000), Seattle, WA ($134,000), and Baltimore, MD ($130,000), highlighting regional variations in pay.
New York tops the list as the highest-paying state for materials scientists ($138,000). California is a close second ($135,000).
Take a look at the average materials scientist salaries from top-paying cities according to Bls.gov data.
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $158,350 |
| San Francisco, CA | $145,680 |
| Albany, NY | $135,430 |
| Seattle, WA | $134,730 |
| Baltimore, MD | $130,380 |
Look at the average materials scientist salaries from top-paying states according to Bls.gov data.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $138,070 |
| California | $135,150 |
| Washington | $129,830 |
| Florida | $125,630 |
| New Hampshire | $122,400 |
Related Careers
Patent Agent
Patent agents practice patent law before the USPTO.
Average of $130,168/year
Patent Attorney
Patent attorneys can practice patent law in addition to practicing law in jurisdictions where they are currently admitted.
Average of $185,351/year
Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical engineers plan and design tools, machines, and other mechanical equipment.
Average of $99,510/year