Materials Scientist salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Materials Scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $127,490 a year ($61.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,700 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is 7% lower than the District of Columbia statewide median of $137,600. There are 0.04 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $121,680, close to the median.
Pay range for materials scientists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,930 | $37.95 |
| 25th percentile | $100,930 | $48.52 |
| Median | $127,490 | $61.29 |
| 75th percentile | $137,600 | $66.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,700 | $80.14 |
| Average (mean) | $121,680 | $58.50 |
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 | $10,624.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,312.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,903.46 |
| Weekly | $2,451.73 |
| Hourly | $61.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $127,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $127,470 | 180 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $92,390 | 130 |
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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $170,980 | $82.20 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $108,160 | $52.00 |
| Chemist | $144,680 | $69.56 |
| Physicist | $171,580 | $82.49 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $117,600 | $56.54 |
| Astronomer | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Hydrologist | $152,730 | $73.43 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $138,250 | $66.47 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $107,110 | $51.49 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $114,920 | $55.25 |
| Economist | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Political Scientist | $156,730 | $75.35 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for materials scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $127,490 a year, or $61.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $166,700 a year. The top 25% earn $137,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,930 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $100,930 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 120 materials scientists are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.