How much does a materials scientist make in San Francisco?
$231,700a year
Median yearly pay for materials scientists in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area. That is $111.40 an hour or $19,310 a month.
- Hourly
- $111.40
- Vs. national median
- +97%
- Rank among cities
- 2 of 35
- Jobs in the area
- 380
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $134,800Median: $231,700Highest 10%: $300,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $134,800 | $64.80 | |
| 25th | $166,100 | $79.84 | |
| Median | $231,700 | $111.40 | |
| 75th | $300,100 | $144.29 | |
| 90th | $300,300 | $144.39 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for materials scientists.
| San Jose, CA | $231,900 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $150,000 |
| Riverside, CA | $129,100 |
| San Diego, CA | $96,050 |
Related jobs in San Francisco
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Psychologist | $168,000 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $166,400 |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $165,100 |
| Medical Scientist | $160,200 |
| Hydrologist | $147,100 |
| Economist | $142,400 |
| Biological Scientist | $138,200 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $136,300 |
| Life Scientist | $134,800 |
| Sociologist | $134,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a materials scientist make an hour in San Francisco?
The median hourly pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $111.40 ($231,700 a year).
Do materials scientists make more in San Francisco than the national average?
Yes: $231,700 against $117,800 nationally, 97% more.
How does San Francisco compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $177,000, so San Francisco pays 31% more.
Where does San Francisco rank for materials scientist pay?
2 of 35 metro areas with data.
How much does a materials scientist make starting out in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% make $134,800 or less a year; the top 10% make $300,300 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.