California Median
$177,030
per year
Hourly Rate
$85.11
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+50% vs US median
US median $117,790
State Rank
#1 of 30
1,030 employed here
How much does a Materials Scientist make in California?
Materials Scientists in California take home a median of $177,030 annually — roughly $85.11 an hour — which runs 50% above the national median of $117,790.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $96,050 while the top 10% make $300,330 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $131,060 and $233,890 a year.
Materials Scientist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,050 | $46.18 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $131,060 | $63.01 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $177,030 | $85.11 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $233,890 | $112.45 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $300,330 | $144.39 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 30 states and territories for Materials Scientist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Materials Scientist salary in other states
Oregon $150,550Wisconsin $137,700District of Columbia $137,600Massachusetts $132,600Minnesota $132,160New York $131,740Indiana $130,540Connecticut $130,320Washington $127,250Utah $126,840Illinois $125,850Virginia $124,150New Hampshire $119,990Colorado $117,290Kansas $115,490Maryland $112,400Ohio $108,830Michigan $107,410Pennsylvania $106,920North Carolina $106,470New Jersey $103,150Florida $102,340South Carolina $101,930Nevada $97,490Georgia $91,970Iowa $88,320Texas $72,700Montana $71,810Tennessee $69,010
Working as a Materials Scientist in California
Nationally, about 8,000 people work as Materials Scientists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($177,030) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Materials Scientist make in California?
The median Materials Scientist salary in California is $177,030 per year, or about $85.11 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $96,050 at the entry level to $300,330 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Materials Scientists about 50% more than the national median of $117,790. California ranks 1st out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Materials Scientists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $177,030 a year. About 1,030 Materials Scientists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Materials Scientist salary report
Related salaries
$122,570
median pay · 22,000 employed
$99,070
median pay · 10,000 employed
$95,990
median pay · 64,000 employed
$110,240
median pay · 6,000 employed
$101,110
median pay · 37,000 employed
$88,720
median pay · 13,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.