Materials Scientists pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $78,930 a year or less, while the top 10% make $166,700 or more. The middle half of materials scientists in Washington earn between $100,930 and $137,600.
- $79K10th
- $101K25th
- $127KMedian
- $138K75th
- $167K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $121,680 | $10,140 | $58.50 |
| Median | $127,490 | $10,624 | $61.29 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $100,930 | $8,411 | $48.52 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $137,600 | $11,467 | $66.15 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year.
Materials Scientists salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $121,680, a single filer in Washington takes home about $87,058 a year, or $7,255 a month and $3,348 every two weeks. Taxes take 28% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $89,748 | $7,479 |
| Working in MD | $88,818 | $7,401 |
| Working in VA | $88,249 | $7,354 |
| Working in DC | $87,058 | $7,255 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for materials scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $121,680 buys what about $111,752 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 4.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Materials Scientists salary in nearby metro areas
- Baltimore, MD$106,790
- Philadelphia, PA$127,130
- Trenton, NJ$117,670
- Durham, NC$112,420
- Greensboro, NC$110,990
- New York, NY$123,720
Highest-paying cities for materials scientists
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($225,960).
- San Francisco, CA$225,960
- San Jose, CA$225,780
- Los Angeles, CA$154,850
- Portland, OR$151,750
- Worcester, MA$150,530
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Materials Scientists salary in Washington: questions
How much do materials scientists make an hour in Washington?
$58.50 an hour on average, and $61.29 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level materials scientists salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $78,930 a year and the 25th percentile is $100,930, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the materials scientists take-home pay in Washington?
About $87,058 a year ($7,255 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $121,680.
Do materials scientists earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 9% less than the U.S. metro average for this job ($133,519).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-2032; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.9%.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.70, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.70).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.