Materials Scientist salary in Wisconsin
Materials Scientists in Wisconsin earn a median of $137,700 a year ($66.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,640 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $117,790. Wisconsin ranks 3rd of 30 states for materials scientists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.03 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $128,070, close to the median.
Pay range for materials scientists in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,650 | $35.41 |
| 25th percentile | $98,160 | $47.19 |
| Median | $137,700 | $66.20 |
| 75th percentile | $154,540 | $74.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,640 | $77.23 |
| Average (mean) | $128,070 | $61.57 |
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 | $11,475 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,737.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,296.15 |
| Weekly | $2,648.08 |
| Hourly | $66.20 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $132,160 | 270 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $72,820 | $35.01 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $85,870 | $41.29 |
| Physicist | $173,120 | $83.23 |
| Hydrologist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,530 | $39.68 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,750 | $40.74 |
| Biological Technician | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| School Psychologist | $83,330 | $40.06 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $113,360 | $54.50 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $84,290 | $40.53 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,440 | $28.58 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for materials scientists in Wisconsin is $137,700 a year, or $66.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of materials scientists in Wisconsin earn at least $160,640 a year. The top 25% earn $154,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,650 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $98,160 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Wisconsin?
About 70 materials scientists are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.