Materials Scientists Salary in California
Materials Scientists in California earn a median annual wage of $177,030 —50.3% above the national median of $117,790. That ranks CA #1 of 30 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (1.04×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for materials scientists
All 30 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $177,030 | $85.11 | 1,030 | 1.04 |
| 2 | Oregon | $150,550 | $72.38 | 100 | 0.95 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | $137,700 | $66.20 | 70 | 0.47 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $137,600 | $66.16 | — | — |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $132,600 | $63.75 | 890 | 4.50 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $132,160 | $63.54 | 290 | 1.79 |
| 7 | New York | $131,740 | $63.34 | 530 | 1.00 |
| 8 | Indiana | $130,540 | $62.76 | 320 | 1.82 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $130,320 | $62.65 | 50 | 0.57 |
| 10 | Washington | $127,250 | $61.18 | 290 | 1.47 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $103,410 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $90,150 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $82,220 |
| Chemists | $97,860 | $91,240 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $100,580 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $62,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do materials scientists make in California?
The median annual wage for materials scientists in California is $177,030, or $85.11 per hour. That is 50.3% above the national median of $117,790.
What is the entry-level materials scientists salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $96,050 per year ($46.18/hour). The 25th percentile is $131,060.
How many people work as materials scientists in California?
About 1,030 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for materials scientists?
California ranks #1 of 30 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.04x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays materials scientists the most?
California has the highest median wage at $177,030 per year, followed by Oregon ($150,550) and Wisconsin ($137,700).