Washington Median
$127,250
per year
Hourly Rate
$61.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $117,790
State Rank
#10 of 30
290 employed here
How much does a Materials Scientist make in Washington?
A Materials Scientist working in Washington earns a median salary of $127,250 per year, or about $61.18 per hour. That is 8% above the national median of $117,790 for this occupation.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $76,390 while the top 10% make $209,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $98,000 and $163,820 a year.
Materials Scientist salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,390 | $36.73 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $98,000 | $47.12 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $127,250 | $61.18 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $163,820 | $78.76 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $209,800 | $100.87 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 10th 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 $130,320Utah $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($127,250) 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 Washington?
The median Materials Scientist salary in Washington is $127,250 per year, or about $61.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $76,390 at the entry level to $209,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Materials Scientists about 8% more than the national median of $117,790. Washington ranks 10th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Materials Scientists?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $127,250 a year. About 290 Materials Scientists are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.