Materials Scientist Salary in Indiana (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Materials Scientists in Indiana, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Indiana Median
$130,540
per year
Hourly Rate
$62.76
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $117,790
State Rank
#8 of 30
320 employed here

How much does a Materials Scientist make in Indiana?

Materials Scientists in Indiana take home a median of $130,540 annually — roughly $62.76 an hour — which runs 11% above the national median of $117,790.

Within Indiana, entry-level pay starts around $53,660 while the top 10% make $197,910 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $82,180 and $190,640 a year.

Materials Scientist salary range in Indiana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$53,660$25.80
25th percentile (early career)$82,180$39.51
50th percentile (median)$130,540$62.76
75th percentile (experienced)$190,640$91.65
90th percentile (top earners)$197,910$95.15

How Indiana compares

Indiana ranks 8th out of 30 states and territories for Materials Scientist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$177,030
2Oregon$150,550
3Wisconsin$137,700
4District of Columbia$137,600
5Massachusetts$132,600

Working as a Materials Scientist in Indiana

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 Indiana pay ($130,540) 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 Indiana?
The median Materials Scientist salary in Indiana is $130,540 per year, or about $62.76 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $53,660 at the entry level to $197,910 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Indiana pay compare to the national average?
Indiana pays Materials Scientists about 11% more than the national median of $117,790. Indiana ranks 8th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Indiana a good state for Materials Scientists?
Yes on pay — Indiana pays above the national median for this occupation, at $130,540 a year. About 320 Materials Scientists are employed in Indiana. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Indiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Indiana include Cardiologist ($588,890), Surgeon, All Other ($459,300), Radiologist ($430,640), 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.