Materials Scientist salary in Kansas
Materials Scientists in Kansas earn a median of $115,490 a year ($55.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $86,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,780 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $117,790. Kansas ranks 16th of 30 states for materials scientists pay. There are 0.03 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $118,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Kansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,800 | $41.73 |
| 25th percentile | $103,630 | $49.82 |
| Median | $115,490 | $55.52 |
| 75th percentile | $134,830 | $64.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $182,780 | $87.88 |
| Average (mean) | $118,360 | $56.91 |
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 | $9,624.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,812.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,441.92 |
| Weekly | $2,220.96 |
| Hourly | $55.52 |
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 |
Related jobs in Kansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $80,080 | $38.50 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,490 | $40.62 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| School Psychologist | $73,020 | $35.11 |
| Biological Technician | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $59,740 | $28.72 |
| Agricultural Technician | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $76,690 | $36.87 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $85,130 | $40.93 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kansas
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 Kansas?
The median salary for materials scientists in Kansas is $115,490 a year, or $55.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $86,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Kansas?
The top 10% of materials scientists in Kansas earn at least $182,780 a year. The top 25% earn $134,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Kansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $86,800 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $103,630 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Kansas?
About 40 materials scientists are employed in Kansas, not counting the self-employed.