How much does a materials scientist make in Los Angeles?
$150,000a year
Median yearly pay for materials scientists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area. That is $72.11 an hour or $12,500 a month.
- Hourly
- $72.11
- Vs. national median
- +27%
- Rank among cities
- 5 of 35
- Jobs in the area
- 200
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $95,870Median: $150,000Highest 10%: $233,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $95,870 | $46.09 | |
| 25th | $119,500 | $57.46 | |
| Median | $150,000 | $72.11 | |
| 75th | $182,500 | $87.72 | |
| 90th | $233,900 | $112.45 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for materials scientists.
| San Jose, CA | $231,900 |
| San Francisco, CA | $231,700 |
| Riverside, CA | $129,100 |
| San Diego, CA | $96,050 |
Related jobs in Los Angeles
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $160,300 |
| Psychologist | $153,600 |
| Economist | $151,500 |
| Physical Scientist | $136,200 |
| Medical Scientist | $134,900 |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $131,700 |
| Sociologist | $124,500 |
| Hydrologist | $123,400 |
| School Psychologist | $122,400 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $111,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a materials scientist make an hour in Los Angeles?
The median hourly pay in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $72.11 ($150,000 a year).
Do materials scientists make more in Los Angeles than the national average?
Yes: $150,000 against $117,800 nationally, 27% more.
How does Los Angeles compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $177,000, so Los Angeles pays 15% less.
Where does Los Angeles rank for materials scientist pay?
5 of 35 metro areas with data.
How much does a materials scientist make starting out in Los Angeles?
The lowest-paid 10% make $95,870 or less a year; the top 10% make $233,900 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.