Virginia Median
$124,150
per year
Hourly Rate
$59.69
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $117,790
State Rank
#13 of 30
100 employed here
How much does a Materials Scientist make in Virginia?
Materials Scientists in Virginia take home a median of $124,150 annually — roughly $59.69 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $117,790.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $63,820 while the top 10% make $184,840 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $100,930 and $139,840 a year.
Materials Scientist salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,820 | $30.68 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $100,930 | $48.52 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $124,150 | $59.69 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $139,840 | $67.23 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,840 | $88.87 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 13th 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 $137,700District of Columbia $137,600Massachusetts $132,600Minnesota $132,160New York $131,740Indiana $130,540Connecticut $130,320Washington $127,250Utah $126,840Illinois $125,850New 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 Virginia
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 Virginia pay ($124,150) 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 Virginia?
The median Materials Scientist salary in Virginia is $124,150 per year, or about $59.69 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,820 at the entry level to $184,840 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Materials Scientists about 5% more than the national median of $117,790. Virginia ranks 13th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Materials Scientists?
Yes on pay — Virginia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $124,150 a year. About 100 Materials Scientists are employed in Virginia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.