Materials Scientist salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Materials Scientists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn a median of $132,650 a year ($63.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $90,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,870 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is 1% higher than the New York statewide median of $131,740. There are 0.34 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $138,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $90,420 | $43.47 |
| 25th percentile | $107,260 | $51.57 |
| Median | $132,650 | $63.77 |
| 75th percentile | $168,710 | $81.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $176,870 | $85.03 |
| Average (mean) | $138,310 | $66.49 |
Half of materials scientists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,054.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,527.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,101.92 |
| Weekly | $2,550.96 |
| Hourly | $63.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Materials Scientist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $120,650 | 560 |
| Rochester, NY | $102,890 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for materials scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $177,030 |
| Oregon | $150,550 |
| Wisconsin | $137,700 |
| District of Columbia | $137,600 |
| Massachusetts | $132,600 |
| Minnesota | $132,160 |
| New York | $131,740 |
| Indiana | $130,540 |
| Connecticut | $130,320 |
| Washington | $127,250 |
See Materials Scientist pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $99,460 | $47.82 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $79,480 | $38.21 |
| Chemist | $110,920 | $53.33 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $86,870 | $41.77 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $134,060 | $64.45 |
| Physicist | $159,240 | $76.56 |
| Biological Technician | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $95,800 | $46.06 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $106,440 | $51.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| School Psychologist | $82,390 | $39.61 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $88,190 | $42.40 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a materials scientist make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The median salary for materials scientists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area is $132,650 a year, or $63.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $90,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn at least $176,870 a year. The top 25% earn $168,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $90,420 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $107,260 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
About 150 materials scientists are employed in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.