Materials Scientist salary in Montana
Materials Scientists in Montana earn a median of $71,810 a year ($34.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,960 for the top 10%. That is 39% lower than the national median of $117,790. Montana ranks 29th of 30 states for materials scientists pay. There are 0.10 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,030 | $26.46 |
| 25th percentile | $55,810 | $26.83 |
| Median | $71,810 | $34.53 |
| 75th percentile | $79,450 | $38.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| Average (mean) | $75,610 | $36.35 |
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 | $5,984.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,992.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,761.92 |
| Weekly | $1,380.96 |
| Hourly | $34.53 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Chemist | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Hydrologist | $84,500 | $40.62 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $108,890 | $52.35 |
| Physicist | $103,800 | $49.90 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Biological Technician | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,950 | $49.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for materials scientists in Montana is $71,810 a year, or $34.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Montana?
The top 10% of materials scientists in Montana earn at least $129,960 a year. The top 25% earn $79,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,030 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $55,810 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Montana?
About 50 materials scientists are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.