How much does a materials scientist make in California?
$177,000a year
Median yearly pay for materials scientists in California. That is $85.11 an hour or $14,750 a month.
- Hourly
- $85.11
- Vs. national median
- +50%
- Rank among states
- 1 of 30
- Jobs in the state
- 1,030
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $96,050Median: $177,000Highest 10%: $300,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $96,050 | $46.18 | |
| 25th | $131,100 | $63.01 | |
| Median | $177,000 | $85.11 | |
| 75th | $233,900 | $112.45 | |
| 90th | $300,300 | $144.39 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $231,900 |
| San Francisco, CA | $231,700 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $150,000 |
| Riverside, CA | $129,100 |
| San Diego, CA | $96,050 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for materials scientists.
| 1. California | $177,000 |
| 2. Oregon | $150,600 |
| 3. Wisconsin | $137,700 |
| 4. District of Columbia | $137,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a materials scientist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $85.11 ($177,000 a year).
Do materials scientists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $177,000 against $117,800 nationally, 50% more.
Where does California rank for materials scientist pay?
California ranks 1 of 30 states.
Which city in California pays materials scientists the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $231,900 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.