Materials Scientist salary in Columbus, OH
Materials Scientists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $104,430 a year ($50.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,090 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is 4% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $108,830. There are 0.07 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $99,670, close to the median.
Pay range for materials scientists in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,180 | $24.60 |
| 25th percentile | $81,320 | $39.10 |
| Median | $104,430 | $50.21 |
| 75th percentile | $111,740 | $53.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,090 | $62.06 |
| Average (mean) | $99,670 | $47.92 |
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 | $8,702.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,351.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,016.54 |
| Weekly | $2,008.27 |
| Hourly | $50.21 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $111,810 | 50 |
| Akron, OH | $109,720 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $107,500 | 200 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $94,170 | $45.27 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,350 | $39.59 |
| Hydrologist | $98,200 | $47.21 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $78,440 | $37.71 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $84,140 | $40.45 |
| Physicist | $170,400 | $81.93 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,100 | $39.95 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,340 | $29.97 |
| Biological Technician | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $64,940 | $31.22 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for materials scientists in the Columbus, OH metro area is $104,430 a year, or $50.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $129,090 a year. The top 25% earn $111,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,180 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $81,320 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Columbus, OH?
About 80 materials scientists are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.