Materials Scientists Salary in Detroit, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Median annual salary $101,480 -2.6% vs national
Median hourly $48.79
10th percentile $66,780
90th percentile $161,710
Employed locally 90
National median $104,160

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Materials Scientists
in
Detroit, MI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $66,780
    25th
    $75,250
    50th (median)
    $101,480
    75th
    $161,570
    90th
    $161,710

    Detroit economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $75,123 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Scientists salary vs area income 135% Median Materials Scientists salary is 35% 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
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $119,600
    Minnesota $114,070
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $109,080
    Michigan $93,350
    Ann Arbor, MI $79,930

    Related occupations in Detroit, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $81,300
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $80,250
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $82,080
    Chemists $79,220
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $75,200
    Chemical Technicians $48,790

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in Detroit?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Scientists in Detroit, MI is $48.79, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $80.74 or more per hour.

    Is Detroit above or below average for Materials Scientists salaries?

    The median Materials Scientists salary in Detroit, MI is 2.6% 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 Detroit?

    Entry-level Materials Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $66,780 per year in Detroit, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $75,250.