Materials Scientist Salary in Michigan (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Michigan Median
$107,410
per year
Hourly Rate
$51.64
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $117,790
State Rank
#19 of 30
230 employed here

How much does a Materials Scientist make in Michigan?

Materials Scientists in Michigan take home a median of $107,410 annually — roughly $51.64 an hour — which runs 9% below the national median of $117,790.

Within Michigan, entry-level pay starts around $54,240 while the top 10% make $167,940 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,160 and $161,330 a year.

Materials Scientist salary range in Michigan

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$54,240$26.08
25th percentile (early career)$77,160$37.10
50th percentile (median)$107,410$51.64
75th percentile (experienced)$161,330$77.56
90th percentile (top earners)$167,940$80.74

How Michigan compares

Michigan ranks 19th 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 Michigan

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 Michigan pay ($107,410) 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 Michigan?
The median Materials Scientist salary in Michigan is $107,410 per year, or about $51.64 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $54,240 at the entry level to $167,940 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Michigan pay compare to the national average?
Michigan pays Materials Scientists about 9% less than the national median of $117,790. Michigan ranks 19th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Michigan a good state for Materials Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $107,410 a year. About 230 Materials Scientists are employed in Michigan. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Michigan?
The highest-paying occupations in Michigan include Radiologist ($485,920), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($428,570), Cardiologist ($419,030), 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.