Materials Scientist salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Materials Scientists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $96,050 a year ($46.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,880 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is 46% lower than the California statewide median of $177,030. There are 0.05 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $102,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| 25th percentile | $60,100 | $28.90 |
| Median | $96,050 | $46.18 |
| 75th percentile | $138,600 | $66.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,880 | $77.83 |
| Average (mean) | $102,920 | $49.48 |
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 | $8,004.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,002.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,694.23 |
| Weekly | $1,847.12 |
| Hourly | $46.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $96,050 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,050 | 50 |
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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $95,160 | $45.75 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,100 | $51.01 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $104,760 | $50.37 |
| Physicist | $156,480 | $75.23 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $132,410 | $63.66 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $120,370 | $57.87 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $130,980 | $62.97 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,350 | $52.09 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $75,970 | $36.52 |
| Biological Technician | $67,060 | $32.24 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $72,090 | $34.66 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,270 | $27.54 |
| School Psychologist | $131,070 | $63.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, 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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for materials scientists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $96,050 a year, or $46.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $161,880 a year. The top 25% earn $138,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,570 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $60,100 or less.
How many materials scientists work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 80 materials scientists are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.