SOC 19-2032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Materials Scientists — Massachusetts
Massachusetts · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Massachusetts comes to $132,600 a year, ahead of the national median of $117,790 by 12.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Massachusetts comes to $132,600 a year, ahead of the national median of $117,790 by 12.6%. Pay ranges from under $96,310 at the tenth percentile to more than $168,390 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $103,890 to $145,600.
The area has 890 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 4.50 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Massachusetts ranks number 5th out of 30 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Worcester records the highest median at $151,070. Of the 717 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 59th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $96,310 | −18.2% |
| 25th | $103,890 | −11.8% |
| Median (50th) | $132,600 | +12.6% |
| 75th | $145,600 | +23.6% |
| 90th | $168,390 | +43.0% |
| Mean | $133,360 | +13.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Massachusetts
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Massachusetts run 5.8% above the national average, so the median of $132,600 buys what $125,331 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 6.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$132,600as reported by BLSLocal price level
105.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$125,331US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $132,600 a year, 12.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $96,310 to $168,390 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 890 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 5th of 30 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Worcester, at $151,070.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Materials Scientists in Massachusetts?
The median annual wage is $132,600, or $63.75 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $117,790, so pay in Massachusetts is 12.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Massachusetts earns more than $168,390 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $96,310 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Worcester, at $151,070 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 890 jobs in this occupation in Massachusetts. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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