Materials Scientist salary in California
Materials Scientists in California earn a median of $177,030 a year ($85.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,030 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $300,330 for the top 10%. That is 50% higher than the national median of $117,790. California ranks 1st of 30 states for materials scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.06 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $189,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,050 | $46.18 |
| 25th percentile | $131,060 | $63.01 |
| Median | $177,030 | $85.11 |
| 75th percentile | $233,890 | $112.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $300,330 | $144.39 |
| Average (mean) | $189,460 | $91.09 |
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 | $14,752.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,376.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,808.85 |
| Weekly | $3,404.42 |
| Hourly | $85.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Materials Scientist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $231,920 | 180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $231,710 | 380 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $149,980 | 200 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,050 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $96,050 | 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 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| Chemist | $97,860 | $47.05 |
| Physicist | $207,490 | $99.75 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $106,500 | $51.20 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $130,610 | $62.79 |
| Hydrologist | $122,110 | $58.71 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $124,920 | $60.06 |
| Astronomer | $123,540 | $59.39 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $113,530 | $54.58 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Biological Technician | $71,440 | $34.34 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for materials scientists in California is $177,030 a year, or $85.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $300,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in California?
The top 10% of materials scientists in California earn at least $300,330 a year. The top 25% earn $233,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,050 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $131,060 or less.
How many materials scientists work in California?
About 1,030 materials scientists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.