Materials Scientists Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $120,340 +15.5% vs national
Median hourly $57.86
10th percentile $80,900
90th percentile $168,750
Employed locally 120
National median $104,160

Compare Materials Scientists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Materials Scientists
in
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $80,900
    25th
    $96,600
    50th (median)
    $120,340
    75th
    $133,230
    90th
    $168,750

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Scientists salary vs area income 97% Median Materials Scientists salary is 3% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other $137,610
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,580
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $112,120
    Economists $157,980
    Political Scientists $153,340
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $109,520

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Scientists in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $57.86, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $80.14 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Materials Scientists salaries?

    The median Materials Scientists salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 15.5% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Materials Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $80,900 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $96,600.