Materials Scientist salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A materials scientist earns a median of $117,790 a year ($56.63 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $126,180. About 8,470 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $117,790
- Gross pay
- $4,530.38
- Federal income tax
- −$657.07
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$280.88
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$65.69
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $3,526.74
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $117,790
- Federal
- $17,084
- FICA
- $9,011
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $91,695
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Physical Scientist: $122,570
- Economist: $124,720
- Psychologist: $110,840
- Nuclear Technician: $110,240
- Biochemist and Biophysicist: $127,410
- Astronomer: $128,820
- Sociologist: $106,030
- Medical Scientist: $103,410
BLS occupation: Materials Scientists. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 19-2032). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a materials scientist make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $56.63; the average is $60.67.
What is the salary range for a materials scientist?
The bottom 10% earn under $66,820 and the top 10% earn over $197,290 a year.
How much is $117,790 after taxes?
About $91,695 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $83,455 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.