Materials Scientist salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Materials Scientists in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn a median of $150,550 a year ($72.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,000 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is about the same as the Oregon statewide median of $150,550. There are 0.07 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $151,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,510 | $47.36 |
| 25th percentile | $121,570 | $58.45 |
| Median | $150,550 | $72.38 |
| 75th percentile | $175,340 | $84.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $199,000 | $95.68 |
| Average (mean) | $151,750 | $72.96 |
Half of materials scientists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,545.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,272.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,790.38 |
| Weekly | $2,895.19 |
| Hourly | $72.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $150,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oregon at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Materials Scientist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $137,520 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for materials scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $177,030 |
| Oregon | $150,550 |
| Wisconsin | $137,700 |
| District of Columbia | $137,600 |
| Massachusetts | $132,600 |
| Minnesota | $132,160 |
| New York | $131,740 |
| Indiana | $130,540 |
| Connecticut | $130,320 |
| Washington | $127,250 |
See Materials Scientist pay in every state or the Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| Chemist | $94,990 | $45.67 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $105,020 | $50.49 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $117,770 | $56.62 |
| Hydrologist | $113,550 | $54.59 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $113,550 | $54.59 |
| Physicist | $172,080 | $82.73 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,660 | $30.13 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $97,410 | $46.83 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $112,640 | $54.16 |
| Biological Technician | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $86,680 | $41.67 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $103,070 | $49.55 |
| Conservation Scientist | $83,580 | $40.18 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a materials scientist make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median salary for materials scientists in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area is $150,550 a year, or $72.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn at least $199,000 a year. The top 25% earn $175,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,510 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $121,570 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
About 90 materials scientists are employed in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.