Materials Scientists Salary in Portland, OR-WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Median annual salary $103,970 -0.2% vs national
Median hourly $49.99
10th percentile $78,960
90th percentile $178,080
Employed locally 160
National median $104,160

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Materials Scientists
in
Portland, OR-WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $78,960
    25th
    $80,830
    50th (median)
    $103,970
    75th
    $136,720
    90th
    $178,080

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,573 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Scientists salary vs area income 110% Median Materials Scientists salary is 10% 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
    Worcester, MA $142,900
    California $131,530
    Colorado $126,980
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $126,980
    New York $125,490
    Florida $122,910

    Related occupations in Portland, OR-WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Biological Technicians$47,390
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$99,540
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$88,000
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$97,380
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$62,190
    Urban and Regional Planners$99,480

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in Portland?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Scientists in Portland, OR-WA is $49.99, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $95.68 or more per hour.

    Is Portland above or below average for Materials Scientists salaries?

    The median Materials Scientists salary in Portland, OR-WA is 0.2% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Materials Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $78,960 per year in Portland, OR-WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $80,830.