Materials Scientist salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Materials Scientists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $107,650 a year ($51.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,940 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is about the same as the Michigan statewide median of $107,410. There are 0.05 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $124,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,740 | $28.24 |
| 25th percentile | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Median | $107,650 | $51.75 |
| 75th percentile | $164,900 | $79.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,940 | $80.74 |
| Average (mean) | $124,000 | $59.61 |
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 | $8,970.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,485.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,140.38 |
| Weekly | $2,070.19 |
| Hourly | $51.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $85,770 | $41.23 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Physicist | $199,170 | $95.76 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $127,070 | $61.09 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,610 | $44.04 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| School Psychologist | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,080 | $39.46 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $57,420 | $27.61 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,260 | $40.51 |
| Biological Technician | $50,580 | $24.32 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for materials scientists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $107,650 a year, or $51.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $167,940 a year. The top 25% earn $164,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,740 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $79,440 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 100 materials scientists are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.