Materials Scientist salary in Worcester, MA
Materials Scientists in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median of $151,070 a year ($72.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $97,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,410 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is 14% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $132,600. There are 0.24 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $150,530, close to the median.
Pay range for materials scientists in Worcester, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,870 | $47.06 |
| 25th percentile | $143,610 | $69.04 |
| Median | $151,070 | $72.63 |
| 75th percentile | $165,770 | $79.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,410 | $83.37 |
| Average (mean) | $150,530 | $72.37 |
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 | $12,589.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,294.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,810.38 |
| Weekly | $2,905.19 |
| Hourly | $72.63 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $132,600 | 700 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $100,720 | $48.43 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $103,730 | $49.87 |
| Physicist | $153,990 | $74.03 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $125,420 | $60.30 |
| Biological Technician | $69,730 | $33.52 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,310 | $50.63 |
| School Psychologist | $93,090 | $44.76 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $112,060 | $53.87 |
| Chemical Technician | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $99,150 | $47.67 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,550 | $46.42 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $88,300 | $42.45 |
| Microbiologist | $115,660 | $55.61 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $93,930 | $45.16 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Worcester, MA
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 Worcester, MA?
The median salary for materials scientists in the Worcester, MA metro area is $151,070 a year, or $72.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $97,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Worcester, MA?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the Worcester, MA metro area earn at least $173,410 a year. The top 25% earn $165,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Worcester, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $97,870 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $143,610 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Worcester, MA?
About 80 materials scientists are employed in the Worcester, MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.