Materials Scientist salary in Michigan
Materials Scientists in Michigan earn a median of $107,410 a year ($51.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,940 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $117,790. Michigan ranks 19th of 30 states for materials scientists pay. There are 0.05 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $117,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,240 | $26.08 |
| 25th percentile | $77,160 | $37.10 |
| Median | $107,410 | $51.64 |
| 75th percentile | $161,330 | $77.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,940 | $80.74 |
| Average (mean) | $117,800 | $56.63 |
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 | $8,950.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,475.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,131.15 |
| Weekly | $2,065.58 |
| Hourly | $51.64 |
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 Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $107,650 | 100 |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $97,440 | $46.85 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Physicist | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $80,990 | $38.94 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $103,210 | $49.62 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $118,870 | $57.15 |
| Hydrologist | $101,060 | $48.59 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $84,310 | $40.53 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,180 | $27.97 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,730 | $40.74 |
| School Psychologist | $83,960 | $40.36 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $78,510 | $37.75 |
| Biological Technician | $51,070 | $24.55 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for materials scientists in Michigan is $107,410 a year, or $51.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Michigan?
The top 10% of materials scientists in Michigan earn at least $167,940 a year. The top 25% earn $161,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,240 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $77,160 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Michigan?
About 230 materials scientists are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.