Materials Scientists Salary in Charlotte, NC-SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Median annual salary $80,890 -22.3% vs national
Median hourly $38.89
10th percentile $75,700
90th percentile $132,450
Employed locally 40
National median $104,160

Compare Materials Scientists salary & buying power

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Materials Scientists
in
Charlotte, NC-SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $75,700
    25th
    $80,770
    50th (median)
    $80,890
    75th
    $108,100
    90th
    $132,450

    Charlotte economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,201 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Scientists salary vs area income 101% Median Materials Scientists salary is 1% above 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $131,530
    Greensboro-High Point, NC $106,470
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $106,190
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $103,970
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $102,450
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $92,790

    Related occupations in Charlotte, NC-SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $84,990
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $67,500
    Chemists $79,650
    School Psychologists $80,030
    Urban and Regional Planners $80,390
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $125,420

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in Charlotte?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Scientists in Charlotte, NC-SC is $38.89, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $78.70 or more per hour.

    Is Charlotte above or below average for Materials Scientists salaries?

    The median Materials Scientists salary in Charlotte, NC-SC is 22.3% 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 Charlotte?

    Entry-level Materials Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $75,700 per year in Charlotte, NC-SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $80,770.