Materials Scientists Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
The median pay for a materials scientists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $68,290/year ($32.83/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $153K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.89), so that salary is closer to $61,033 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,001/month — about 67.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $68K get you in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad’s Regional Price Parity (111.89). 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, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Entry-level materials scientists (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $68K. Top earners bring in $153K or more, a $107K 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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do materials scientists make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median is $68,290 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,790, and experienced materials scientists can clear $153,410. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $68K enough to live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,489/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,001/month, which eats 66.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a materials scientists salary go in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity of 111.89 (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 $61,033 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.