Materials Scientist salary in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Materials Scientists in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median of $129,050 a year ($62.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $92,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,740 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is 27% lower than the California statewide median of $177,030. There are 0.03 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $129,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $92,460 | $44.45 |
| 25th percentile | $92,460 | $44.45 |
| Median | $129,050 | $62.04 |
| 75th percentile | $140,830 | $67.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,740 | $83.05 |
| Average (mean) | $129,240 | $62.13 |
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 | $10,754.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,377.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,963.46 |
| Weekly | $2,481.73 |
| Hourly | $62.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Materials Scientist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $231,920 | 180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $231,710 | 380 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $149,980 | 200 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $96,050 | 80 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $104,110 | $50.05 |
| Chemist | $92,660 | $44.55 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $90,270 | $43.40 |
| Hydrologist | $126,820 | $60.97 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $106,750 | $51.32 |
| Physicist | $163,990 | $78.84 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,310 | $43.42 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $138,390 | $66.53 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,730 | $44.58 |
| School Psychologist | $139,400 | $67.02 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $63,150 | $30.36 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $108,760 | $52.29 |
| Chemical Technician | $55,620 | $26.74 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
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 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The median salary for materials scientists in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $129,050 a year, or $62.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $92,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn at least $172,740 a year. The top 25% earn $140,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $92,460 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $92,460 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
About 50 materials scientists are employed in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.