Materials Scientists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$96,050
- 25th Percentile — Junior$131,060
- 50th Percentile — Median$177,030
- 75th Percentile — Senior$233,890
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$300,330
Half of Materials Scientists in California earn more than $177,030. The top 10% make $300,330 or more, while entry-level workers start around $96,050.
Materials Scientists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 1st of 30 states for Materials Scientists pay, at $189,460 per year (50.2% above the U.S. average of $126,180).
- 1,030 people work as Materials Scientists in California — 12.2% of all U.S. Materials Scientists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.04: Materials Scientists jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $96,050; the top 10% earn over $300,330.
- Hourly equivalent: $91.09 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).
Materials Scientists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Materials Scientists here earn $189,460 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $189,460 is roughly equivalent to $133,423 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Oregon ($154,140), District of Columbia ($141,040), Washington ($139,140) are the closest alternatives for Materials Scientists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $201,930/yr California +6.6% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $148,550/yr California 21.6% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $140,120/yr California 26.0% vs this role
- Economists $133,680/yr California 29.4% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $127,330/yr California 32.8% vs this role
- Sociologists $123,090/yr California 35.0% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,940/yr California 35.1% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $116,480/yr California 38.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Materials Scientists salary in California?
The average Materials Scientists salary in California is $189,460 per year (median $177,030), which is 50.2% above the national average of $126,180.
How does California rank for Materials Scientists pay?
California ranks 1st out of 30 states. The highest-paying state is California ($189,460/yr).
How much do entry-level Materials Scientists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Materials Scientists in California earn about $96,050 per year and the 25th percentile is $131,060.
How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in California?
About $91.09 per hour, based on the $189,460 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Materials Scientists work in California?
BLS counts 1,030 Materials Scientists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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