District of Columbia Median
$137,600
per year
Hourly Rate
$66.15
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $117,790
State Rank
#4 of 30
state estimate
How much does a Materials Scientist make in District of Columbia?
A Materials Scientist working in District of Columbia earns a median salary of $137,600 per year, or about $66.15 per hour. That is 17% above the national median of $117,790 for this occupation.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $132,790 while the top 10% make $161,700 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $135,540 and $137,610 a year.
Materials Scientist salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $132,790 | $63.84 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $135,540 | $65.16 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $137,600 | $66.15 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $137,610 | $66.16 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,700 | $77.74 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 4th out of 30 states and territories for Materials Scientist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Materials Scientist salary in other states
California $177,030Oregon $150,550Wisconsin $137,700Massachusetts $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 District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($137,600) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Materials Scientist salary in District of Columbia is $137,600 per year, or about $66.15 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $132,790 at the entry level to $161,700 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Materials Scientists about 17% more than the national median of $117,790. District of Columbia ranks 4th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Materials Scientists?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $137,600 a year. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Materials Scientist salary report
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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.