Materials Scientists Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$132,790
- 25th Percentile — Junior$135,540
- 50th Percentile — Median$137,600
- 75th Percentile — Senior$137,610
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$161,700
Half of Materials Scientists in District of Columbia earn more than $137,600. The top 10% make $161,700 or more, while entry-level workers start around $132,790.
Materials Scientists in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 3rd of 30 states for Materials Scientists pay, at $141,040 per year (11.8% above the U.S. average of $126,180).
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $132,790; the top 10% earn over $161,700.
- Hourly equivalent: $67.81 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $189,460.
- Among science jobs in District of Columbia, Economists pays the most ($175,100).
Materials Scientists Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Materials Scientists here earn $141,040 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $141,040 is roughly equivalent to $92,789 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, California ($189,460), Oregon ($154,140), 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 District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Economists $175,100/yr District of Columbia +24.1% vs this role
- Physicists $156,320/yr District of Columbia +10.8% vs this role
- Chemists $148,840/yr District of Columbia +5.5% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $143,270/yr District of Columbia +1.6% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $135,050/yr District of Columbia 4.2% vs this role
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists $133,190/yr District of Columbia 5.6% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $121,400/yr District of Columbia 13.9% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $119,310/yr District of Columbia 15.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Materials Scientists salary in District of Columbia?
The average Materials Scientists salary in District of Columbia is $141,040 per year (median $137,600), which is 11.8% above the national average of $126,180.
How does District of Columbia rank for Materials Scientists pay?
District of Columbia ranks 3rd out of 30 states. The highest-paying state is California ($189,460/yr).
How much do entry-level Materials Scientists make in District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Materials Scientists in District of Columbia earn about $132,790 per year and the 25th percentile is $135,540.
How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $67.81 per hour, based on the $141,040 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
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