Materials Scientist salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Materials Scientists in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $60,690 a year ($29.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,540 for the top 10%. That is 48% lower than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is 54% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $130,540. There are 0.06 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| 25th percentile | $60,690 | $29.18 |
| Median | $60,690 | $29.18 |
| 75th percentile | $74,950 | $36.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,540 | $50.74 |
| Average (mean) | $70,150 | $33.72 |
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 | $5,057.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,528.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,334.23 |
| Weekly | $1,167.12 |
| Hourly | $29.18 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $133,340 | 460 |
| 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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $86,090 | $41.39 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $103,240 | $49.63 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,270 | $42.44 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $82,500 | $39.66 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $76,730 | $36.89 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $82,930 | $39.87 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,540 | $28.14 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $66,770 | $32.10 |
| School Psychologist | $89,190 | $42.88 |
| Biological Technician | $50,210 | $24.14 |
| Food Science Technician | $84,320 | $40.54 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for materials scientists in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $60,690 a year, or $29.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $105,540 a year. The top 25% earn $74,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,690 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $60,690 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 40 materials scientists are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.