Materials Scientist salary in Massachusetts
Materials Scientists in Massachusetts earn a median of $132,600 a year ($63.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 890 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,390 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $117,790. Massachusetts ranks 5th of 30 states for materials scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.24 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $133,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,310 | $46.30 |
| 25th percentile | $103,890 | $49.95 |
| Median | $132,600 | $63.75 |
| 75th percentile | $145,600 | $70.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,390 | $80.96 |
| Average (mean) | $133,360 | $64.12 |
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 | $11,050 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,525 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,100 |
| Weekly | $2,550 |
| Hourly | $63.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Materials Scientist salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | $151,070 | 80 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $132,600 | 700 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $125,000 | $60.09 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Physicist | $106,410 | $51.16 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $108,210 | $52.03 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $138,380 | $66.53 |
| Hydrologist | $119,350 | $57.38 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $108,050 | $51.95 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $128,210 | $61.64 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $131,600 | $63.27 |
| Biological Technician | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $103,970 | $49.99 |
| School Psychologist | $98,670 | $47.44 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $107,100 | $51.49 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $115,180 | $55.37 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for materials scientists in Massachusetts is $132,600 a year, or $63.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of materials scientists in Massachusetts earn at least $168,390 a year. The top 25% earn $145,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,310 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $103,890 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Massachusetts?
About 890 materials scientists are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.