Materials Scientists Salary
The median pay for a materials scientists in Washington is $127,250/year ($61.18/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $76K at the entry level to $210K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $124,743 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 22.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $127K get you in Washington?
About materials scientists
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What this looks like in Washington
Materials scientists pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $127K locally vs. $118K nationwide, a 8% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 22.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level materials scientists (10th percentile) start around $76K. Mid-career wages sit at $127K. Top earners bring in $210K or more, a $133K spread from bottom to top.
Materials Scientists salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $138K | +8% | 50 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a materials scientist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $127K, rent takes 22.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for materials scientists in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new materials scientists typically earn — is $76K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,583/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 40% 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 Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $127K locally vs. $118K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for materials scientists?
Washington pays $127K median vs. the U.S. average of $118K — that’s +8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $125K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do materials scientists make in Washington?
The median is $127,250 a year, that works out to about $61 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $76,390, and experienced materials scientists can clear $209,800. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $127K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,144/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 22.5% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $124,743 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.