Materials Scientists Salary Trend (2011–2024)
Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Salary in 2024
$104,160
↑ 23.1% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Materials Scientists — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Materials Scientists — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew 23.1% since 2011 ($84,600 → $104,160)
🏆Peak year: 2023 at $106,160
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 2.7% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately -16%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $104,160 | -1.9% |
| 2023 | $106,160 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $104,380 | +4.3% |
| 2021 | $100,090 | +0.6% |
| 2020 | $99,460 | +2.7% |
| 2019 | $96,810 | -3.0% |
| 2018 | $99,800 | +0.3% |
| 2017 | $99,530 | +0.1% |
| 2016 | $99,430 | +9.3% |
| 2015 | $91,000 | -1.1% |
| 2014 | $91,980 | +3.7% |
| 2013 | $88,660 | -0.4% |
| 2012 | $88,990 | +5.2% |
| 2011 | $84,600 | — |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.