How much does a materials scientist make in Washington?
Median yearly pay for materials scientists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $61.29 an hour or $10,620 a month.
- Hourly
- $61.29
- Vs. national median
- +8%
- Rank among cities
- 12 of 35
- Jobs in the area
- 120
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $78,930 | $37.95 | |
| 25th | $100,900 | $48.52 | |
| Median | $127,500 | $61.29 | |
| 75th | $137,600 | $66.15 | |
| 90th | $166,700 | $80.14 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for materials scientists.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $171,600 |
| Physical Scientist | $171,000 |
| Astronomer | $156,800 |
| Economist | $156,800 |
| Political Scientist | $156,700 |
| Hydrologist | $152,700 |
| Chemist | $144,700 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $138,300 |
| Geoscientist | $132,600 |
| Psychologist | $129,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a materials scientist make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $61.29 ($127,500 a year).
Do materials scientists make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $127,500 against $117,800 nationally, 8% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $137,600, so Washington pays 7% less.
Where does Washington rank for materials scientist pay?
12 of 35 metro areas with data.
How much does a materials scientist make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $78,930 or less a year; the top 10% make $166,700 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.