Materials Scientists Salary in Atlanta, GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

Median annual salary $83,270 -20.1% vs national
Median hourly $40.04
10th percentile $64,070
90th percentile $151,490
Employed locally 160
National median $104,160

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Materials Scientists
in
Atlanta, GA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $64,070
    25th
    $64,180
    50th (median)
    $83,270
    75th
    $118,910
    90th
    $151,490

    Atlanta economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,338 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Scientists salary vs area income 96% Median Materials Scientists salary is 4% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Materials Scientists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $156,530
    Worcester, MA $142,900
    New Hampshire $136,300
    Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $135,510
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $133,530
    California $131,530

    Nearby metros — Materials Scientists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Michigan $93,350
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $80,890

    Related occupations in Atlanta, GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $81,030
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $93,980
    Biological Scientists, All Other $91,890
    Social Science Research Assistants $63,790
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $82,010
    Occupational Health and Safety Technicians $58,630

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in Atlanta?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Scientists in Atlanta, GA is $40.04, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $74.92 or more per hour.

    Is Atlanta above or below average for Materials Scientists salaries?

    The median Materials Scientists salary in Atlanta, GA is 20.1% below the national median of $104,160. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Materials Scientists in Atlanta?

    Entry-level Materials Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $64,070 per year in Atlanta, GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $64,180.