Materials Scientist salary in Oregon
Materials Scientists in Oregon earn a median of $150,550 a year ($72.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $105,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,000 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $117,790. Oregon ranks 2nd of 30 states for materials scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.05 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $154,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $105,030 | $50.49 |
| 25th percentile | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Median | $150,550 | $72.38 |
| 75th percentile | $175,340 | $84.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $199,000 | $95.67 |
| Average (mean) | $154,140 | $74.11 |
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 | $12,545.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,272.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,790.38 |
| Weekly | $2,895.19 |
| Hourly | $72.38 |
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 Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $150,550 | 90 |
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 Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $97,440 | $46.85 |
| Chemist | $104,590 | $50.28 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| Hydrologist | $93,690 | $45.04 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $109,580 | $52.69 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $112,260 | $53.97 |
| Physicist | $200,320 | $96.31 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,240 | $45.79 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,810 | $29.24 |
| Biological Technician | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,030 | $53.38 |
| Conservation Scientist | $80,790 | $38.84 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $103,070 | $49.55 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Oregon
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 Oregon?
The median salary for materials scientists in Oregon is $150,550 a year, or $72.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $105,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Oregon?
The top 10% of materials scientists in Oregon earn at least $199,000 a year. The top 25% earn $175,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $105,030 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $129,360 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Oregon?
About 100 materials scientists are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.