Materials Scientist salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Materials Scientists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $132,600 a year ($63.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 700 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,330 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is about the same as the Massachusetts statewide median of $132,600. There are 0.26 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $132,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,310 | $46.30 |
| 25th percentile | $103,890 | $49.95 |
| Median | $132,600 | $63.75 |
| 75th percentile | $145,600 | $70.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,330 | $81.41 |
| Average (mean) | $132,890 | $63.89 |
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 | $11,050 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,525 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,100 |
| Weekly | $2,550 |
| Hourly | $63.75 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | $151,070 | 80 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $127,290 | $61.20 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| Physicist | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $137,050 | $65.89 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $102,730 | $49.39 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $108,040 | $51.94 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $129,500 | $62.26 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $131,550 | $63.25 |
| Biological Technician | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $105,960 | $50.94 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $110,410 | $53.08 |
| School Psychologist | $98,670 | $47.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $121,270 | $58.30 |
| Microbiologist | $122,350 | $58.82 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for materials scientists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $132,600 a year, or $63.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $169,330 a year. The top 25% earn $145,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,310 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $103,890 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 700 materials scientists are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.