Materials Scientists Salary
The median pay for a materials scientists in District of Columbia is $137,600/year ($66.16/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $133K at the entry level to $162K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $126,378 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,146/month, or 26.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $138K get you in District of Columbia?
About materials scientists
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
District of Columbia sits well above the national pay line for materials scientists, local pay runs about 17% higher than the U.S. median of $118K. Rent runs $2,146/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level materials scientists (10th percentile) start around $133K. Mid-career wages sit at $138K. Top earners bring in $162K or more, a $29K spread from bottom to top.
Materials Scientists salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $127K | -7% | 120 |
Compare to other states
Track materials scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a materials scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
Yes — at the median salary of $138K, rent takes 26.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for materials scientists in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new materials scientists typically earn — is $133K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $7,967/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 27% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is materials scientist a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Local pay is 17% above the national median — $138K here vs. $118K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for materials scientists?
District of Columbia pays $138K median vs. the U.S. average of $118K — that’s +17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $126K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do materials scientists make in District of Columbia?
The median is $137,600 a year, that works out to about $66 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $132,790, and experienced materials scientists can clear $161,700. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $138K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,996/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 26.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a materials scientists salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median materials scientists salary is worth about $126,378 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do materials scientists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.