Materials Scientists Salary
The median pay for a materials scientists in Georgia is $91,970/year ($44.22/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $155K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.89), which stretches that salary to about $100,087 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,434/month, or 24.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Georgia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $92K get you in Georgia?
About materials scientists
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What this looks like in Georgia
Pay for materials scientists in Georgia runs about 22% below the U.S. median of $118K. Rent runs $1,434/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 8% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Georgia
Entry-level materials scientists (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $92K. Top earners bring in $155K or more, a $91K spread from bottom to top.
Materials Scientists salary by metro in Georgia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | $93K | +1% | 240 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Georgia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a materials scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Georgia?
Yes — at the median salary of $92K, rent takes 25.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,434/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for materials scientists in Georgia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new materials scientists typically earn — is $64K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,829/month. At HUD’s $1,434/month FMR, rent would take 37% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is materials scientist a high-paying job in Georgia?
Local pay runs 22% below the national median — $92K here vs. $118K nationally. Cost of living is 8% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Georgia compare to the national average for materials scientists?
Georgia pays $92K median vs. the U.S. average of $118K — that’s -22%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $100K — below the national median.
How much do materials scientists make in Georgia?
The median is $91,970 a year, that works out to about $44 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,820, and experienced materials scientists can clear $154,600. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $92K enough to live in Georgia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,707/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,434/month, which eats 25.1% 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 Georgia?
Georgia has a Regional Price Parity of 91.89 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median materials scientists salary is worth about $100,087 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.