Materials Scientists Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $119,300 +14.5% vs national
Median hourly $57.36
10th percentile $76,240
90th percentile $196,980
Employed locally 40
National median $104,160

Compare Materials Scientists salary & buying power

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Materials Scientists
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Seattle, WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $76,240
    25th
    $87,250
    50th (median)
    $119,300
    75th
    $169,090
    90th
    $196,980

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Scientists salary vs area income 106% Median Materials Scientists salary is 6% 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
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $120,340
    Washington $110,470
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $103,970
    Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $101,480
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $100,400
    Delaware $98,020

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$101,500
    Biological Technicians$58,090
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$98,950
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$99,680
    Urban and Regional Planners$103,410
    Biological Scientists, All Other$98,750

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in Seattle?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Scientists in Seattle, WA is $57.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $99.98 or more per hour.

    Is Seattle above or below average for Materials Scientists salaries?

    The median Materials Scientists salary in Seattle, WA is 14.5% 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Materials Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $76,240 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $87,250.