Materials Scientists Salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Median annual salary $109,080 +4.7% vs national
Median hourly $52.44
10th percentile $63,240
90th percentile $171,070
Employed locally 210
National median $104,160

Compare Materials Scientists salary & buying power

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Materials Scientists
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Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $63,240
    25th
    $73,840
    50th (median)
    $109,080
    75th
    $149,790
    90th
    $171,070

    Philadelphia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $89,273 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Scientists salary vs area income 122% Median Materials Scientists salary is 22% 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
    Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $101,570
    Pittsburgh, PA $96,840
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $79,900

    Related occupations in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $100,960
    Chemists $76,620
    Biochemists and Biophysicists $110,460
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $85,820
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $106,330
    Biological Technicians $56,660

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in Philadelphia?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Scientists in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $52.44, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $82.48 or more per hour.

    Is Philadelphia above or below average for Materials Scientists salaries?

    The median Materials Scientists salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 4.7% 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 Philadelphia?

    Entry-level Materials Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $63,240 per year in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $73,840.