How much does a materials scientist make in San Jose?
$231,900a year
Median yearly pay for materials scientists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area. That is $111.50 an hour or $19,330 a month.
- Hourly
- $111.50
- Vs. national median
- +97%
- Rank among cities
- 1 of 35
- Jobs in the area
- 180
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $145,300Median: $231,900Highest 10%: $308,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $145,300 | $69.87 | |
| 25th | $165,900 | $79.77 | |
| Median | $231,900 | $111.50 | |
| 75th | $307,600 | $147.89 | |
| 90th | $308,700 | $148.40 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for materials scientists.
| San Francisco, CA | $231,700 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $150,000 |
| Riverside, CA | $129,100 |
| San Diego, CA | $96,050 |
Related jobs in San Jose
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Psychologist | $175,200 |
| Physicist | $173,500 |
| Physical Scientist | $160,600 |
| Medical Scientist | $159,300 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $139,400 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $137,300 |
| Geoscientist | $136,100 |
| Biological Scientist | $133,800 |
| School Psychologist | $130,500 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $129,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a materials scientist make an hour in San Jose?
The median hourly pay in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $111.50 ($231,900 a year).
Do materials scientists make more in San Jose than the national average?
Yes: $231,900 against $117,800 nationally, 97% more.
How does San Jose compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $177,000, so San Jose pays 31% more.
Where does San Jose rank for materials scientist pay?
1 of 35 metro areas with data.
How much does a materials scientist make starting out in San Jose?
The lowest-paid 10% make $145,300 or less a year; the top 10% make $308,700 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.