Materials Scientists Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $79,900 -23.3% vs national
Median hourly $38.41
10th percentile $56,170
90th percentile $137,990
Employed locally 130
National median $104,160

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Materials Scientists
in
Houston, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $56,170
    25th
    $65,080
    50th (median)
    $79,900
    75th
    $96,700
    90th
    $137,990

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Scientists salary vs area income 99% Median Materials Scientists salary is 1% 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
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $133,530
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $91,850
    College Station-Bryan, TX $51,780

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $76,860
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $79,680
    Chemical Technicians $74,620
    Chemists $110,300
    Occupational Health and Safety Technicians $49,980
    Biological Technicians $49,150

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in Houston?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Scientists in Houston, TX is $38.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.05 or more per hour.

    Is Houston above or below average for Materials Scientists salaries?

    The median Materials Scientists salary in Houston, TX is 23.3% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Materials Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $56,170 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $65,080.