Materials Scientists Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
The median pay for a materials scientists in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $109,080/year ($52.44/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $171K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.55), that's roughly $106,368 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,810/month, or 25.7% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $109K get you in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington’s Regional Price Parity (102.55). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About materials scientists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Entry-level materials scientists (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $109K. Top earners bring in $171K or more, a $108K 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 |
| Ohio | $102K | -2% | 670 |
| Kansas | $98K | -6% | 30 |
| Delaware | $98K | -6% | 100 |
| Iowa | $96K | -8% | 170 |
| Indiana | $95K | -9% | 40 |
| North Carolina | $95K | -9% | 370 |
| Michigan | $93K | -10% | 170 |
| South Carolina | $88K | -16% | 60 |
| Nevada | $86K | -17% | 70 |
| Maine | $83K | -20% | 50 |
| New Jersey | $83K | -20% | 630 |
| Georgia | $81K | -22% | 250 |
| Texas | $81K | -23% | 380 |
| Montana | $57K | -46% | 60 |
Showing 1–10 of 29 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track materials scientists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do materials scientists make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median is $109,080 a year, that works out to about $52 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,240, and experienced materials scientists can clear $171,070. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $109K enough to live in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,815/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,810/month, which eats 26.6% 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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.55 (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 $106,368 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.