Materials Scientist salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
Materials Scientists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median of $102,070 a year ($49.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,700 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is 4% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $106,470. There are 0.04 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $113,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,470 | $39.17 |
| 25th percentile | $85,520 | $41.12 |
| Median | $102,070 | $49.07 |
| 75th percentile | $126,850 | $60.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $163,700 | $78.70 |
| Average (mean) | $113,310 | $54.47 |
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 | $8,505.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,252.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,925.77 |
| Weekly | $1,962.88 |
| Hourly | $49.07 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $123,070 | 110 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $106,470 | 60 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $72,730 | $34.97 |
| Chemist | $88,890 | $42.74 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $86,420 | $41.55 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $91,160 | $43.83 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $117,170 | $56.33 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $97,440 | $46.84 |
| School Psychologist | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $83,170 | $39.98 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $90,580 | $43.55 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $61,670 | $29.65 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The median salary for materials scientists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $102,070 a year, or $49.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn at least $163,700 a year. The top 25% earn $126,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,470 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $85,520 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
About 60 materials scientists are employed in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.