Materials Scientists Salary in Madison, WI
The median pay for a materials scientists in Madison, WI is $120,520/year ($57.94/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $146K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.29), that's roughly $123,877 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,168/month, or 16% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $121K get you in Madison?
About materials scientists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Madison, WI
Entry-level materials scientists (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $121K.Top earners bring in $146K or more - a $87K spread from bottom to top.
Materials Scientists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $136K | +31% | 80 |
| California | $132K | +26% | 610 |
| New York | $125K | +20% | 630 |
| Florida | $123K | +18% | 100 |
| Wisconsin | $121K | +16% | 140 |
| Illinois | $120K | +16% | 470 |
| Virginia | $119K | +14% | 160 |
| Utah | $119K | +14% | 80 |
| Massachusetts | $118K | +14% | 720 |
| Oklahoma | $116K | +11% | 60 |
| Minnesota | $114K | +10% | 360 |
| Washington | $110K | +6% | 290 |
| Maryland | $106K | +2% | 200 |
| Oregon | $104K | -0% | 180 |
| Pennsylvania | $103K | -1% | 290 |
Track materials scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Madison numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do materials scientists make in Madison, WI?
The median is $120,520 a year - that works out to about $57.94 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,790, and experienced materials scientists can clear $146,370. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $121K enough to live in Madison?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,316/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,168/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 16% 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 Madison?
Madison has a Regional Price Parity of 97.29 (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 $123,877 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.