Materials Scientist salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Materials Scientists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $231,920 a year ($111.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $145,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $308,680 for the top 10%. That is 97% higher than the national median of $117,790. Pay here is 31% higher than the California statewide median of $177,030. There are 0.16 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $225,780, close to the median.
Pay range for materials scientists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $145,330 | $69.87 |
| 25th percentile | $165,930 | $79.77 |
| Median | $231,920 | $111.50 |
| 75th percentile | $307,610 | $147.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $308,680 | $148.41 |
| Average (mean) | $225,780 | $108.55 |
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 | $19,326.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $9,663.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,920 |
| Weekly | $4,460 |
| Hourly | $111.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $231,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $231,710 | 380 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $149,980 | 200 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,050 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $96,050 | 80 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $114,890 | $55.24 |
| Physicist | $173,450 | $83.39 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $51.21 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $160,580 | $77.20 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| Hydrologist | $142,640 | $68.58 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $159,300 | $76.59 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $128,980 | $62.01 |
| Biological Technician | $72,940 | $35.07 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $133,790 | $64.32 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $102,710 | $49.38 |
| Chemical Technician | $67,140 | $32.28 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $75,010 | $36.06 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for materials scientists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $231,920 a year, or $111.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $145,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $308,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of materials scientists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $308,680 a year. The top 25% earn $307,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $145,330 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $165,930 or less.
How many materials scientists work in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
About 180 materials scientists are employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.