Materials Scientists Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $131,530 +26.3% vs national
Median hourly $63.24
10th percentile $57,030
90th percentile $180,480
Employed locally 160
National median $104,160

Compare Materials Scientists salary & buying power

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Materials Scientists
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San Francisco, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $57,030
    25th
    $113,380
    50th (median)
    $131,530
    75th
    $164,610
    90th
    $180,480

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Scientists salary vs area income 98% Median Materials Scientists salary is 2% 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
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $130,440
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $129,050
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $126,240
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $118,010

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$142,540
    Biological Scientists, All Other$132,670
    Biological Technicians$79,270
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$160,210
    Chemists$126,190
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$80,100

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Materials Scientists in San Francisco, CA is $63.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $144.39 or more per hour.

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

    The median Materials Scientists salary in San Francisco, CA is 26.3% 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Materials Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $57,030 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $113,380.