Materials Scientist Salary in New Jersey (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$103,150
per year
Hourly Rate
$49.59
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $117,790
State Rank
#22 of 30
440 employed here

How much does a Materials Scientist make in New Jersey?

A Materials Scientist working in New Jersey earns a median salary of $103,150 per year, or about $49.59 per hour. That is 12% below the national median of $117,790 for this occupation.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $79,450 while the top 10% make $139,550 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $79,450 and $126,290 a year.

Materials Scientist salary range in New Jersey

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$79,450$38.20
25th percentile (early career)$79,450$38.20
50th percentile (median)$103,150$49.59
75th percentile (experienced)$126,290$60.72
90th percentile (top earners)$139,550$67.09

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 22nd 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 New Jersey

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 New Jersey pay ($103,150) 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 New Jersey?
The median Materials Scientist salary in New Jersey is $103,150 per year, or about $49.59 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $79,450 at the entry level to $139,550 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Materials Scientists about 12% less than the national median of $117,790. New Jersey ranks 22nd out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Materials Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $103,150 a year. About 440 Materials Scientists are employed in New Jersey. 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 New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.