Materials Scientists Salary in Los Angeles, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Median annual salary $126,240 +21.2% vs national
Median hourly $60.69
10th percentile $76,510
90th percentile $200,510
Employed locally 170
National median $104,160

Compare Materials Scientists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Los Angeles, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Materials Scientists
in
Los Angeles, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $76,510
    25th
    $83,740
    50th (median)
    $126,240
    75th
    $168,200
    90th
    $200,510

    Los Angeles economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,525 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $156,530
    California $131,530
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $131,530
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $130,440
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $129,050
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $118,010

    Related occupations in Los Angeles, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,470
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $98,720
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $100,330
    School Psychologists $108,130
    Chemists $82,370
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $101,540

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in Los Angeles?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Scientists in Los Angeles, CA is $60.69, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $112.45 or more per hour.

    Is Los Angeles above or below average for Materials Scientists salaries?

    The median Materials Scientists salary in Los Angeles, CA is 21.2% above 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 Los Angeles?

    Entry-level Materials Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $76,510 per year in Los Angeles, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $83,740.