How much does a materials scientist make in Durham?
$123,100a year
Median yearly pay for materials scientists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area. That is $59.17 an hour or $10,260 a month.
- Hourly
- $59.17
- Vs. national median
- +4%
- Rank among cities
- 15 of 35
- Jobs in the area
- 110
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $64,670Median: $123,100Highest 10%: $173,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $64,670 | $31.09 | |
| 25th | $72,050 | $34.64 | |
| Median | $123,100 | $59.17 | |
| 75th | $133,500 | $64.17 | |
| 90th | $173,000 | $83.18 |
Other cities in North Carolina
Median yearly pay for materials scientists.
| Greensboro, NC | $106,500 |
| Charlotte, NC | $102,100 |
Related jobs in Durham
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Economist | $152,100 |
| Physical Scientist | $128,400 |
| Sociologist | $126,800 |
| Life Scientist | $105,900 |
| Geoscientist | $99,560 |
| Biological Scientist | $98,700 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $98,490 |
| Medical Scientist | $96,430 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $93,420 |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $87,650 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a materials scientist make an hour in Durham?
The median hourly pay in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $59.17 ($123,100 a year).
Do materials scientists make more in Durham than the national average?
Yes: $123,100 against $117,800 nationally, 4% more.
How does Durham compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $106,500, so Durham pays 16% more.
Where does Durham rank for materials scientist pay?
15 of 35 metro areas with data.
How much does a materials scientist make starting out in Durham?
The lowest-paid 10% make $64,670 or less a year; the top 10% make $173,000 or more.
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.