Materials Scientists Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $129,050 +23.9% vs national
Median hourly $62.04
10th percentile $92,460
90th percentile $172,740
Employed locally 50
National median $104,160

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Materials Scientists
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Riverside, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $92,460
    25th
    $92,460
    50th (median)
    $129,050
    75th
    $140,830
    90th
    $172,740

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Scientists salary vs area income 150% Median Materials Scientists salary is 50% 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
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $126,240
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $118,010

    Related occupations in Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $92,230
    Occupational Health and Safety Technicians $57,610
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,890
    School Psychologists $124,200
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $96,390
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $96,600

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in Riverside?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Scientists in Riverside, CA is $62.04, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $83.05 or more per hour.

    Is Riverside above or below average for Materials Scientists salaries?

    The median Materials Scientists salary in Riverside, CA is 23.9% 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 Riverside?

    Entry-level Materials Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $92,460 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $92,460.