Materials Scientists Salary
The median pay for a materials scientists in Minnesota is $132,160/year ($63.54/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $84K at the entry level to $173K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $142,721 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,384/month, or 17.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Minnesota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $132K get you in Minnesota?
About materials scientists
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What this looks like in Minnesota
Minnesota sits well above the national pay line for materials scientists, local pay runs about 12% higher than the U.S. median of $118K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,384/month, 17.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.6 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Minnesota offers a genuinely strong financial position for materials scientistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Minnesota
Entry-level materials scientists (10th percentile) start around $84K. Mid-career wages sit at $132K. Top earners bring in $173K or more, a $89K spread from bottom to top.
Materials Scientists salary by metro in Minnesota
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $132K | +0% | 270 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Minnesota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a materials scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Minnesota?
Yes — at the median salary of $132K, rent takes 17.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,384/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for materials scientists in Minnesota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new materials scientists typically earn — is $84K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,010/month. At HUD’s $1,384/month FMR, rent would take 28% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is materials scientist a high-paying job in Minnesota?
Local pay is 12% above the national median — $132K here vs. $118K nationally.
How does Minnesota compare to the national average for materials scientists?
Minnesota pays $132K median vs. the U.S. average of $118K — that’s +12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.6), the purchasing-power equivalent is $143K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do materials scientists make in Minnesota?
The median is $132,160 a year, that works out to about $64 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $83,500, and experienced materials scientists can clear $172,500. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $132K enough to live in Minnesota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,777/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,384/month, which eats 17.8% 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 Minnesota?
Minnesota has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (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 $142,721 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.