Materials Scientist salary in Reno, NV
Materials Scientists in the Reno, NV metro area earn a median of $97,750 a year ($47.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,390 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is about the same as the Nevada statewide median of $97,490. There are 0.20 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $98,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Reno, NV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| 25th percentile | $90,250 | $43.39 |
| Median | $97,750 | $47.00 |
| 75th percentile | $97,750 | $47.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,390 | $61.24 |
| Average (mean) | $98,110 | $47.17 |
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 | $8,145.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,072.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,759.62 |
| Weekly | $1,879.81 |
| Hourly | $47.00 |
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 |
See Materials Scientist pay in every state or the Nevada statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reno, NV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,320 | $36.69 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $94,610 | $45.48 |
| Chemist | $81,860 | $39.36 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $115,650 | $55.60 |
| Hydrologist | $111,140 | $53.43 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $99,160 | $47.68 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $62,680 | $30.13 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $106,330 | $51.12 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $70,790 | $34.04 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $54,140 | $26.03 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,570 | $49.79 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $64,390 | $30.96 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Reno, NV
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 Reno, NV?
The median salary for materials scientists in the Reno, NV metro area is $97,750 a year, or $47.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Reno, NV?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the Reno, NV metro area earn at least $127,390 a year. The top 25% earn $97,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Reno, NV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,160 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $90,250 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Reno, NV?
About 60 materials scientists are employed in the Reno, NV metro area, not counting the self-employed.