Materials Scientists Salary in California (2025)
Official BLS OEWS data · May 2025 · 1,030 employed
Annual Mean
$189,460
$91.09/hr
Annual Median
$177,030
$85.11/hr
Bottom 10%
$96,050
$46.18/hr
Top 10%
$300,330
$144.39/hr
Location vs National Average
California
$189,460
Difference
+50.2% vs US avg
US National
$126,180
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $96,050 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $131,060 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $177,030 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $233,890 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $300,330 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$96K
25th
$131K
Median
$177K
75th
$234K
90th
$300K
California has a moderate number of Materials Scientists positions (approximately 1,030), reflecting steady demand in this occupation.
In California, Materials Scientists salaries range from $96,050 at the 10th percentile to $300,330 at the 90th percentile — a spread of $204,280 (115% of the median). This wide range suggests significant variation based on experience and employer in this area.
Top Paying Cities in California
Metro areas with highest Materials Scientists wages
How Materials Scientists Compares in California
The average Materials Scientists salary of $189,460 in California ranks above the national average of $126,180. There are approximately 1,030 Materials Scientistss employed in California.
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US median/yr
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$90,150
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$82,220
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Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
$62,280
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Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Public domain · Not affiliated with BLS.