📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Materials Scientist Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · Medium Demand

Average
$93,075
per year
Median
$86,705
per year
Hourly
$44.75
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$57,812
25th Percentile — Junior$76,922
50th Percentile — Median$86,705
75th Percentile — Senior$119,920
90th Percentile — Top Earners$136,698
💡 Top-earning Materials Scientists in North Carolina make up to $136,698 per year. The job market in North Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Technology, Finance, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$80.3k
2021
$82.7k
2022
$85.2k
2023
$87.7k
2024
$90.4k
2025
$93.1k
2026
📈 Materials Scientist salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong presence in North Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Materials Scientist Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $89,352 -4.0% Medium
Raleigh $91,214 -2.0% Medium
Greensboro $83,768 -10.0% Medium
Durham $90,283 -3.0% Medium
Winston-Salem $80,975 -13.0% Medium
🔍
Materials Scientist Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for Materials Scientists. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $93,075 per year, North Carolina's Materials Scientist salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in North Carolina (index: 0.91) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in North Carolina can expect to earn $57,812–$76,922, while experienced Materials Scientists can command $119,920–$136,698.

Looking ahead, the Materials Scientist profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Materials Scientist salary in North Carolina is $93,075 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $102,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Materials Scientists the highest wages in North Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • North Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Technology, Finance, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Materials Scientist employment.
  • At $93,075/year, North Carolina Materials Scientist salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $102,280/year.