Materials Scientists pay in California
In California, the median pay for materials scientists is $85.11 an hour ($177,030 a year). About 1,030 people work in this job there.
That is 50% higher than the U.S. median ($117,790). California ranks 1st of 30 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for materials scientists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $46.18 | $96,050 |
| 25% of workers | $63.01 | $131,060 |
| Half of workers (median) | $85.11 | $177,030 |
| 75% of workers | $112.45 | $233,890 |
| 90% of workers | $144.39 | $300,330 |
Materials Scientists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $231,920 | 180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $231,710 | 380 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $149,980 | 200 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $129,050 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $96,050 | 80 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for materials scientists
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +8.3% over ten years, much faster than average · about 600 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 |
| Chemists | $97,860 |
| Physicists | $207,490 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $106,500 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $130,610 |
| Hydrologists | $122,110 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $124,920 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.