Materials Scientists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $68,290 -34.4% vs national
Median hourly $32.83
10th percentile $46,790
90th percentile $153,410
Employed locally 90
National median $104,160

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Materials Scientists
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San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,790
    25th
    $46,970
    50th (median)
    $68,290
    75th
    $124,340
    90th
    $153,410

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Scientists salary vs area income 67% Median Materials Scientists salary is 33% 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
    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
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $126,240

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,270
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,160
    Biological Technicians $61,070
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $65,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $99,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $97,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Scientists in San Diego, CA is $32.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $77.83 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Materials Scientists salaries?

    The median Materials Scientists salary in San Diego, CA is 34.4% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Materials Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $46,790 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,970.