Materials Scientist salary in South Carolina
Materials Scientists in South Carolina earn a median of $101,930 a year ($49.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,490 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $117,790. South Carolina ranks 24th of 30 states for materials scientists pay. There are 0.04 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $105,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,060 | $33.68 |
| 25th percentile | $88,990 | $42.78 |
| Median | $101,930 | $49.01 |
| 75th percentile | $116,510 | $56.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,490 | $66.10 |
| Average (mean) | $105,730 | $50.83 |
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 | $8,494.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,247.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,920.38 |
| Weekly | $1,960.19 |
| Hourly | $49.01 |
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 South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $102,070 | 60 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $79,670 | $38.30 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,910 | $36.02 |
| Physicist | $138,400 | $66.54 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $86,070 | $41.38 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $82,240 | $39.54 |
| Hydrologist | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $141,130 | $67.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $75,020 | $36.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $58,960 | $28.35 |
| Nuclear Technician | $108,490 | $52.16 |
| School Psychologist | $76,720 | $36.89 |
| Biological Technician | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $75,810 | $36.45 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for materials scientists in South Carolina is $101,930 a year, or $49.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of materials scientists in South Carolina earn at least $137,490 a year. The top 25% earn $116,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,060 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $88,990 or less.
How many materials scientists work in South Carolina?
About 80 materials scientists are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.