Materials Scientists Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $156,530 +50.3% vs national
Median hourly $75.26
10th percentile $134,200
90th percentile $234,280
Employed locally 90
National median $104,160

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Materials Scientists
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San Jose, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $134,200
    25th
    $147,620
    50th (median)
    $156,530
    75th
    $182,860
    90th
    $234,280

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Scientists salary vs area income 99% Median Materials Scientists salary is 1% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Materials Scientists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $131,530

    Nearby metros — Materials Scientists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $118,010

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $155,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $132,230
    Biological Scientists, All Other $132,630
    Biological Technicians $71,920
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $101,520
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $75,670

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Materials Scientists in San Jose, CA is $75.26, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $148.41 or more per hour.

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

    The median Materials Scientists salary in San Jose, CA is 50.3% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Materials Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $134,200 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $147,620.