Materials Scientist salary in Pennsylvania
Materials Scientists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $106,920 a year ($51.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,170 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $117,790. Pennsylvania ranks 20th of 30 states for materials scientists pay. There are 0.02 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.31). The average (mean) salary is $107,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,850 | $33.10 |
| 25th percentile | $79,700 | $38.32 |
| Median | $106,920 | $51.41 |
| 75th percentile | $123,530 | $59.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,170 | $76.52 |
| Average (mean) | $107,370 | $51.62 |
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 | $8,910 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,455 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,112.31 |
| Weekly | $2,056.15 |
| Hourly | $51.41 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $127,470 | 180 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $84,180 | $40.47 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $134,780 | $64.80 |
| Physicist | $210,990 | $101.44 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $75,890 | $36.48 |
| Hydrologist | $91,730 | $44.10 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,050 | $41.85 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,870 | $44.17 |
| Biological Technician | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $134,090 | $64.47 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $57,680 | $27.73 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for materials scientists in Pennsylvania is $106,920 a year, or $51.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of materials scientists in Pennsylvania earn at least $159,170 a year. The top 25% earn $123,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,850 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $79,700 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Pennsylvania?
About 100 materials scientists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.