Materials Scientists Pay Range in Washington
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$76,390
- 25th Percentile — Junior$98,000
- 50th Percentile — Median$127,250
- 75th Percentile — Senior$163,820
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$209,800
Half of Materials Scientists in Washington earn more than $127,250. The top 10% make $209,800 or more, while entry-level workers start around $76,390.
Materials Scientists in Washington: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Washington ranks 4th of 30 states for Materials Scientists pay, at $139,140 per year (10.3% above the U.S. average of $126,180).
- 290 people work as Materials Scientists in Washington — 3.4% of all U.S. Materials Scientists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.47: Materials Scientists jobs are more concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $76,390; the top 10% earn over $209,800.
- Hourly equivalent: $66.89 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $189,460.
- Among science jobs in Washington, Physicists pays the most ($149,060).
Materials Scientists Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation
Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Materials Scientists here earn $139,140 on average, placing the state 4th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $139,140 is roughly equivalent to $111,312 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, California ($189,460), Oregon ($154,140), District of Columbia ($141,040) 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 Washington
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $149,060/yr Washington +7.1% vs this role
- Hydrologists $123,510/yr Washington 11.2% vs this role
- Economists $120,550/yr Washington 13.4% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $117,840/yr Washington 15.3% vs this role
- Geoscientists $117,140/yr Washington 15.8% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $113,120/yr Washington 18.7% vs this role
- Chemists $104,480/yr Washington 24.9% vs this role
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists $103,580/yr Washington 25.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Materials Scientists salary in Washington?
The average Materials Scientists salary in Washington is $139,140 per year (median $127,250), which is 10.3% above the national average of $126,180.
How does Washington rank for Materials Scientists pay?
Washington ranks 4th out of 30 states. The highest-paying state is California ($189,460/yr).
How much do entry-level Materials Scientists make in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% of Materials Scientists in Washington earn about $76,390 per year and the 25th percentile is $98,000.
How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in Washington?
About $66.89 per hour, based on the $139,140 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Materials Scientists work in Washington?
BLS counts 290 Materials Scientists jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data