Materials Scientist salary in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
Materials Scientists in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area earn a median of $101,120 a year ($48.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,580 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is 20% lower than the Utah statewide median of $126,840. There are 0.04 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $110,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| 25th percentile | $90,850 | $43.68 |
| Median | $101,120 | $48.62 |
| 75th percentile | $143,050 | $68.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,580 | $81.05 |
| Average (mean) | $110,960 | $53.35 |
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 | $8,426.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,213.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,889.23 |
| Weekly | $1,944.62 |
| Hourly | $48.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $101,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Utah at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Utah statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $95,200 | $45.77 |
| Chemist | $79,980 | $38.45 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $93,030 | $44.73 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $123,240 | $59.25 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $100,650 | $48.39 |
| Hydrologist | $94,420 | $45.40 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,940 | $39.88 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,180 | $43.36 |
| Biological Technician | $52,960 | $25.46 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,160 | $47.68 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,690 | $47.45 |
| Chemical Technician | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $86,510 | $41.59 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $50,620 | $24.34 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
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 Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
The median salary for materials scientists in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area is $101,120 a year, or $48.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area earn at least $168,580 a year. The top 25% earn $143,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,110 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $90,850 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
About 30 materials scientists are employed in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area, not counting the self-employed.