Materials Scientist salary in North Carolina
Materials Scientists in North Carolina earn a median of $106,470 a year ($51.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,870 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $117,790. North Carolina ranks 21st 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 $110,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,720 | $31.60 |
| 25th percentile | $85,580 | $41.15 |
| Median | $106,470 | $51.19 |
| 75th percentile | $133,480 | $64.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,870 | $77.82 |
| Average (mean) | $110,700 | $53.22 |
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 | $8,872.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,436.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,095 |
| Weekly | $2,047.50 |
| Hourly | $51.19 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $123,070 | 110 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $106,470 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $102,070 | 60 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $95,260 | $45.80 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Hydrologist | $81,770 | $39.31 |
| Physicist | $174,180 | $83.74 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,130 | $44.29 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Biological Technician | $61,720 | $29.67 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for materials scientists in North Carolina is $106,470 a year, or $51.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of materials scientists in North Carolina earn at least $161,870 a year. The top 25% earn $133,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,720 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $85,580 or less.
How many materials scientists work in North Carolina?
About 490 materials scientists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.