Materials Scientist salary in Rochester, NY
Materials Scientists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $102,890 a year ($49.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $90,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,670 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is 22% lower than the New York statewide median of $131,740. There are 0.08 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $115,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $90,060 | $43.30 |
| 25th percentile | $100,810 | $48.47 |
| Median | $102,890 | $49.47 |
| 75th percentile | $122,330 | $58.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,670 | $80.61 |
| Average (mean) | $115,060 | $55.32 |
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 | $8,574.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,287.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,957.31 |
| Weekly | $1,978.65 |
| Hourly | $49.47 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $132,650 | 150 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $120,650 | 560 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $75,160 | $36.13 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $95,850 | $46.08 |
| School Psychologist | $73,050 | $35.12 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,370 | $24.70 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $89,230 | $42.90 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $92,550 | $44.50 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $107,010 | $51.45 |
| Biological Technician | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,320 | $26.60 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for materials scientists in the Rochester, NY metro area is $102,890 a year, or $49.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $90,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $167,670 a year. The top 25% earn $122,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $90,060 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $100,810 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Rochester, NY?
About 40 materials scientists are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.